Which Mughal ruler established Karkhanas for painting?
66th B.P.S.C (Pre) 2020
A. Humayun
B. Akbar
C. Jahangir
D. Shah Jahan
E. None of the above/More than one of the above
Answer: Akbar
Option b is the correct answer.
Renowned for his patronage of arts, Akbar founded Karkhanas, including the famed Tasvir Khana, nurturing eminent artists like Abu'l Hasan and Mir Sayyid Ali. Mughal art, born from these workshops, harmonized Indian, Persian, and Islamic elements, yielding a unique style characterized by vivid hues, intricate realism, and lavish embellishments. This art adorned books, albums, and palaces under imperial patronage.
Important Tips
Important Aspects of Mughal Painting under Akbar:
Artistic Fusion: Akbar's atelier integrated artists from Iran and India, blending styles into a cohesive Mughal aesthetic.
Unprecedented Scale: The monumental Hamzanama manuscript, with 1,400 large folios, exemplified Akbar's ambitious vision and served as a unifying force for diverse artistic talents.
Literary Masterpieces: Notable manuscripts produced, such as Sa'di's Gulistan (1582), Darab Nama (1585), Nizami's Khamsa (1590s), and Jami's Baharistan (1595).
Diverse Themes: Expansion to Hindu courts led to illustrations of Hindu epics, animal fables, individual portraits, and diverse subjects, showcasing Mughal painting's adaptability.
Realism and Naturalism: Akbar's era refined Mughal style, emphasizing realism and naturalism, transforming compositions and character portrayal.
Prolific Artists: Akbar employed over a hundred painters between 1570-1585 to practice and enhance the Mughal painting tradition. Some notable Painters who served under Akbar are Abd as-Samad, Abu'l Hasan and Mir Sayyid Ali.