Before the Muslim invasions, members of the royal family of Gujrat began to reside permanently in various locations across northern...

Basohli, a hilly area located near the plane land of Rajasthan, had a glorious tradition of painting. Emperor Akbar appointed Jain Khan...

The key factors of Hindu Rajasthani painting An Epic had been composed by a poet of the royal court of King Indrajit (Bundelkhand) named...

Preface of Hindu painting I am about to commence a discourse on the Rajasthani Paintings that were predominantly influenced by the Hindu culture. This constitutes a significant segment of Indian artistic practice, impacting the exquisite Persian art that later evolved into Mughal miniatures fostering the development of Persian art, and establishing itself as an emblem of Indian artistic expression. In the preface of Hindu Rajasthani Painting, I'll discuss the background of th

The most ancient illustrated manuscript found during Emperor Akbar's reign was composed in 1570 and contains stories illustrated with animals. The name of that manuscript is Annoar-e-Shuhayli, and it is presently stored in London. In that manuscript, the Persian impact is very minimal. Instead, we can find a prominent expression of 'Indianity, a term used to describe the unique characteristics of Indian art, in animal illustrations. These illustrations bear emotional touches

South Indian Style The presence of a prominent Syriac Orthodox Church in Tribankur, India, can be traced back to the first century AD. According to historical records, Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, visited India and stayed there for some time, spreading the teachings of Christianity. Over time, the Syrian church and Byzantine Greece significantly influenced the region, developing various Christian art styles. Unfortunately, no hereditary examples of these

Regional Style Vaishnava influence Upon close examination, it becomes apparent that the Vaishnava influence, which increased throughout India in the late 15th century, also permeated Rajput painting. The Geetha Govindam, a work centered on Lord Krishna's divine pastimes, exhibited a rhythmic impulse tempered by a devotional approach. Each painting of the Geetha Govindam exuded tranquility and conveyed the infinite joy characteristic of Vaishnava cultural diversity. Between 14

Regional Style Using the term "Rajput Painting" to define Rajput painting is often done casually without acknowledging that it shares similarities with Hindu traditional painting. While Rajput painting boasted versatility and specialty, it's noteworthy that regional artists across India frequently exchanged their styles and doctrines, thereby maintaining a regional impact. Consequently, one cannot attribute pure or original characteristics to this art form. Just as in modern

Preface  I have previously expounded upon a range of attributes about Indian painting within this blog. Nonetheless, one notable facet that warrants recognition—Rajput Kalam—was omitted in my previous discussions. Henceforth, I have elected to commence a fresh dialogue on the illustrious form of Indian artistry known as Rajput Painting. Chauhan Rajput Shephard. To commence, please preface a concise commendation regarding the Rajput community, as per the Hindu Puranas and two

Part - 6 Part 5 of The History of Indian Mughal Miniature Painting is about to conclude the discussion. We will experience how the sunshine of Indian miniature has dimmed and how the flamboyance of the Mughal period has faded. It's indeed a painful chapter. At the age of 87, the emperor Aurangzeb expired. The second son of the emperor, Bahadur Shah, got the throne. But when Bahadur Shah died in 1712, his nephew Farrukhsiyar seized hold of the throne by debarring the son of

Part - 5 In part 5 of the History of Indian Mughal Miniature Painting, I'll show the excellence of the Indian miniature that causes it to be the icon of India and how it has been dimming away periodically. In addition to their ornamental design, the depictions of hunting in Mughal miniature art were particularly noteworthy. This subject matter was a favorite among royal artists, and it was understood that paintings commissioned by the emperor should showcase his enthusiasm an

Part - 4 In Part 4 of the History of Indian Mughal Miniature Painting, I will share a funny historical incident that you will relish. The first emperor, Babur, was an avid naturalist with a keen interest in flowers, fruits, leaves, creepers, birds, animals, and insects. His diary is replete with detailed observations of these subjects. Emperor Jahangir inherited this passion from his predecessor and, during his reign, commissioned numerous paintings depicting the animal kingd

Part - 3 The libraries established by Emperor Akbar were not only continued but also expanded and enriched by his successors, Jahangir and Shahjahan. Regrettably, they were ravaged during the 18th and 19th centuries wars. Nevertheless, it is remarkable that some of these exquisite paintings have survived in private collections elsewhere and continue to reverberate with tales of their illustrious past.  Jahangir with falcon on horseback. 17th Century The successor of Emperor A

Part - 2 In the ensuing chapter, I intend to commence with the translation of section 34 from 'Akbarnama,' wherein Abul Fazl expounds on several significant details. In Part 2 of the History of Indian Mughal Miniature Painting, we pursue the knowledge of Abul Fazal, who shared in the mentioned book. Abul Fazal presenting Akbarnama to Akbar Tasbir refers to a precise representation of an object or subject. Emperor Akbar was highly passionate about portrait art as he believed i

Part - 1 Continuing from my previous article on the Mughal Emperors' enduring love for art, I present a comprehensive discussion encompassing all relevant historical events and intriguing facts. While certain aspects may appear repetitive, it is necessary to ensure a thorough exploration of this magnificent period in art history. Portrait of Akbar by Govardhan Akbar ascended the throne of Emperor during his boyhood, unlike his predecessors Babur and Humayun, who were not nati

Before commencing our discussion, I would like to shed light on a tragic historical event that highlights the political turmoil of ancient India. During the elderly age of Shah Jahan, when he was 65 years old, his treacherous sons forcefully usurped his throne and imprisoned him. This did not mark the end of conflicting actions among Shah Jahan's offspring; instead, it raised the question of who would succeed as the next Emperor of India. 1658, after much controversy and stri

During Shah Jahan's reign, Mughal painting achieved its zenith. The contributions of previous emperors, including Humayun, Akbar, and Jahangir, facilitated the emergence of a skillful successor in Shah Jahan, who further nurtured this art form with his artistic prowess. Dilpasand, the favorite horse of Shahjahan. Primarily in the realm of portrait painting, the artists of Shah Jahan's court exhibited unparalleled mastery. During Jahangir's reign, "Morakka" referred to a colle

Meanwhile, under the influence of folk-tale-based literature from India and West Asia, Emperor Akbar commissioned the creation of a novel album in 1560 entitled Tutinama. The meaning of Tutinama is, 'a tell of a parrot'. The project was finalized in 1565 and is believed to be housed at the Cleveland Museum. a scene from the Tutinama (1556–1565) paintings With the inclusion of illustrated artworks from Tutinama [1] , a significant shift was observed in the depiction of Hamzana

Abul Fazal commenced writing the renowned Ain-e-Akbari when Mir Syed Ali had already completed his paintings for the Album Dastan-e-ameer-hamza. As previously discussed, these paintings were a testament to the influence of Indian traditional art and formed the cornerstone of the Mughal style. The intricate details in these Iranian paintings evoke memories of Durer's works, while their vibrant colors, characteristic of Indian tradition, continue to captivate us. Following the

I have started discussing the Indian miniature paintings of the Mughal period; however, before proceeding here, I felt the necessity to discuss the method of Indian miniature paintings, which is still secret. It is the first blog that discussed and unveiled the hidden process of Ajanta Paintings, and now, it's about to disclose the secret method of the Indian miniature Paintings. Such a hidden technique will not only arouse our interest but also encourage artists to explore