Mughal Painting are the blend of happy synthesis Of Indian indigenous, Indian style of printing and the Safavid school of Persian painting presently know as Iran. It is generally confined to small portraits of painting on paper or on clothes known as miniatures. 

These paintings are influenced by Hindu, Jain, Buddhist influencers and were developed in the court of Mughal Empire between the 16th to 19th centuries AD. Mughal Paintings were also popular as Miniature Paintings as there small in size. 

Mughal Paintings had abundance use of colors especially Golden color regarding it as the symbol of prosperity. Mughal Paintings were made on cotton fiber based paper.

Artists used an opaque paint made of powdery pigment and water bound with gum Arabic. The paintings were completed by single artist or in workshop.

Characteristics of Mughal Painting:

The Mughal Paintings are marked by simple naturalism. Naturalism plays an important key role and based upon observation of the nature with delicate and fine drawing. 

These Mughal paintings are also based upon the day to day activities of the kings and the emperors, painting of the court scenes and related to life of the queen's and the kings .However, it can be said that it is primarily based on aristocratic. It is also related to the secular aspects of life or rather the religious aspects

School of Painting:

In the reign Akbar 1560 AD the Mughal school of Painting was originated even though it was first started by Humayun in 1550 AD. As it was very small and most of the development took place under Akbar's reign. 

After this Jahangir and Shahjahan continued the school painting but due to the less interest in paintings during Aurangzeb started declining.

The Deccan school of painting was the fabulous Indian artwork which was influenced by the Persian painting along with blend of local mural painting and various court painting. More and more Mughal seeped in this school as the local courts were absorbed by the Mughal Empire in the mid 17th century.

Rajput school was originally the school of Western Indian painting which had the art form of palaces, life of lord Krishna, religious scenes, and hunting scene as well. 

Rajput painting had strong bold colors, profiles and local elements but was influenced by the Mughal art. These schools are in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur and it includes worships which happens in Jaipur, Mewar, Bikaner.

The Pahari School is related to hills and Himalayas in the northern part of India. This school was flourished in 18th and 19th century with great and rich tradition paintings which was again inspired by the Mughal art but themes used in this were Indian.

The South Indian schools were generated from temple painting tradition in Mysore and Tanjore. These paintings are different from Mughal styles and well known for their richly decorated hindu icons. 

These paintings emphasizes on vegetal color to paint their beloved god and goddess.

Peak of the Mughal Painting:

Mughal Painting during Babur, even though he was a great art lover but couldn't find time to devote their attention towards this art, as he was busy in carrying on wars. The foundation of the Mughal painting was set up by Humayun while his deport from India in Persia and Afghanistan.

Mir Sayyid Ali and Abdus Samad were the 2 great painters came with him to Delhi from Persia and assisted in making some of the paintings. 

Most of the development in the field of painting occurred during Akbar's reign. Around 1200 paintings were found in the book 'Humayun Nama'. Several other painters were also appointed from different parts of India.

Happy blends of Indian and Persian arts are found with finest paintings in 'Akbarnama'. Tutinama appeared to be the first work of Mughal School during his time. This collection of painting talked about the tales of parrot.

Hamza Nama was the illustration on cloth which was completed between 1564 -1569 AD. This collection showed the Archer (Mehrdokht) which had Indo- Persian architecture. 

Ramz Nama was one of the painting works during his empire which stated the Persian translation of the Mahabharata which in today's time present in the Maharaja Jaipur Museum in Jaipur. 

Painters appointed were not only muslim but also the Hindu painters such as Bhim Gujarati, Kesu etc important painters which showcased the secularness of Akbar.

During the time of Jahangir Mughal Painting acquired greatest charm, dignity and refinement, art and painting became the industry considering the finest division of labor. This was because he had great fascination for nature, as well as took delight in the portraiture of animals, birds and flowers.

Gallery of painting was found in Emperor Jahangir’s own garden as he was not only interested in paintings but was a good judge in art as well. 

At that time not only the Mughals but the provincial officers also appointed painters but the finest of the finest painters were appointed by Mughals. Therefore, it can be said that his time was the peak for Mughal Paintings. Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb they both lack interest in paintings. 

 Shah Jahan was mostly interested in architecture, here we can see the example of 'Shahjahanabad city' but ignored the paintings as court painting became more rigid and complex. Even though this era resulted to be prosperous, artistic for the painters as it had to represent life in court mostly. 

'Padshahnama' was one of the most finely Islamic miniatures during Shah Jahan reign. While Aurangzeb almost all reduced the court painters which led to decline in the quality of painting too. 

This removal of painters from court gave rise to Rajasthani and Pahari paintings. As here, the painters moved on to Hindu and Muslim provincial rulers after the removal from the Mughal court from Aurangzeb. 

Bahadur Shah the last Mughal emperor in India in his power, there was revival of Mughal paintings and quality in the style after the negligence was shown by Aurangzeb.

During the Mughal Empire the paintings activities were tangible to the family power, wealth and prestige. These paintings showcased the communicating idea of the kingdom and the power of the king. 

Mughal painting reflected the political reality of Mughal Empire. This art of painting was passed by generation to generation and still exists but in small too. There is a need to promote this art with modern style.

Written by: Rakhi Sharma

Edited by: Gourav Chowdhury