Mughal paintings during shah jahan biography

The Mughal era, especially the ruling period of the great Mughal emperors, namely Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangazeb, is one of the most significant periods of Indian history. This era saw the rise of revolutions in the social, administrative, and cultural lives of the Indian common people. This period is marked by great illustrative literary works, unique four-square gardening techniques , striking architectural brilliance, and the emergence of new musical instruments like the Sitar and various new ragas.

Original mughal paintings

This period also witnessed the rise of Mughal paintings to their zenith. All these happened because most rulers were patrons of beauty and except Aurangazeb, others were secular and inclusive in their administrative approach. History and Development of Mughal Paintings. Emerging from the Persian miniature paintings, Mughal painting has made its place as one of the most exquisite forms of Indian painting style.

Developed in the courts of the Mughal emperors in the 16th to 18th century, it is mainly a miniature painting style that was used to draw book illustrations or as single album works. The autobiography of Babur and excellent literary works like Padshahnama biography of emperor Shah Jahan had extensive illustrations of Mughal paintings depicting the courtroom scenes, hunting scenes, etc.

The striking feature of Mughal painting is its realistic portrayal of the lives of the Mughal emperors and the people of the empire. Although the primary paintings depicted heavy Persian and Islamic influence, later this painting style was embraced by Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist subjects also. The culmination of foreign Persian culture and Indian indigenous elements has given the required edge to Mughal paintings for reaching the zenith.

As mentioned earlier, Mughal paintings are realistic depictions of the lives of the king and his kingsmen. They are pictorial depictions of the great battles fought, legendary and mythological stories, hunting scenes along with wildlife, royal lives and lifestyle, courtroom scenes, and lives of common people including market scenes, occupation, and agriculture.

The popularity of these paintings reached far and near and they also ornamented courts of other kings and empires. Mughal Painting had developed and evolved to different extents under the patronage of different Mughal rulers.