AURANGZEB (1658-1707)

Mugal paintings came with Mugal development ended with Mugal rules that had a lot of interest in fine arts as Babar remained in struggle throughout his life but he always kept artist with him. He like the Persian artist Bihzad and praised him a lot in his Biography Babar-Nama. In the beginning Sranian paintings was not of a high standard but when the Mugals came to India and saw Indian Rajasthani paintings. They create a new style combining Indian and Persian style called Mugal style.

Characteristic of Mugal Paintings

Mugals took interest in art of portraiture and also got some hunting scenes painted. Along with the paintings of birds and animals, this art remained confided to court and portraits as the artist have to remain personally attending to the mood of the emperor but gradually the subject matter saw new horizons.

Mostly religion dominated the art of painting. In India because of the Apabhransha School where religion in nature like Krishan-Leela in Rajasthani School where we find greatness and beauty. Taking inspirations from these paintings Mugals ordered their artists to paint in collaboration with Indian artist and placed Indian artist to their court resulting in several advantages. First it helped in improvement of art in paintings, secondly a desire to paint Indian books also arose in the hearts of Mugal rulers, this started the translation of Indian, books like Ramayana, Mahabharat, Nar-damiyanti, Panchtantra etc and both Hindus and Muslims unitedly started their holy ventures, Mugals also painted the books like Amir-Hamza but after that they took Indian literature for painting.

1. Profile: - The main characteristics of mugal School contributed by Rajasthani paintings. Most paintings were Ek Chasma(single eye or profile) whether the figure was full or half, previously in Iran one.05 chasma(1x1/2 chasma) were painted. Some faces have been finished by lines only without color but they too were mostly artistic and lively.

2. Special Ornamentation of borders: - Main effect of Iranian art maintained by Mugals also. Ornamentation of borders by creepers and shrubs, Birds Animals and human figures were drawn that the main painting last its dominance. Name of the artist have been written beautifully in Persian on Borders

3. Lively depiction of Animals and Birds:-Characteristic of Mugal paintings as from the very beginning the Mugals have been interested in them Ustad Mansoor was the bets painter pf Birds. One of the matchless and lively paintings was of the Falcon with an expression of cruelty and violence in his eyes among birds partridge, squirrels, hen, pigeon, peacock, duck and stroke etc. have been painted beautifully. Elephant fights along with horses, lion, deer, tiger and goats also been painted very nicely.

4. Depiction of nature: - Trees, plants, rivers, mountains etc. were painted in Mugal paintings. If three types of trees were there in a painting then the difference between all the trees was clearly visible. Rivers, mountains and natural scenes painted with accuracy. In hunting scenes also there was great reality and beauty in jungle scenes.

5. Fine Line Drawing: - There craftsmanship was matchless with appropriate use of line. The artists have tried to paint each and every hair if the beard in a portrait. Also they labourisly tried to paint even the hair fiber worthily.

6. Portrait paintings: - Found in abundance as every Mugal ruler was found of portraits. Portraits of saints along with emperors especially at Shahjahn’s time were painted to pay great regards to the Muslim saints Akbar got portrait’s of Hindu saints Sardar, Mira, Valabhacharya, ShehsalimChisti, ShehPhool and Kabir etc.

7. Garments:- transparent chunries and mostly the garment worments by female figure showing beautiful and original design and fine ornamentation decorating garments with ornaments. Male figures wearing angrakhas, churidar Pyjamas, typical Mugal turbans decorated with inlaid work. Carpets on the floor were full of beautiful designs

8. Historical scenes: - Especially during the time of Akbar as he gave much importance to the manuscripts paintings example. Kisa-Flamir-Hamza.

9. Religious themes: - as the Mugals did not have any intention of spreading religion so they translated Indian books into Persian example. Panchtantra, Mahabharata, Ramayana with ornamentation and full splendor.

10. Royal Splendor: - one can feel a typical atmosphere of strict discipline even in pleasure gathering, musical concerts or court scenes.

11. Ornamental Deigns:-Especially on walls pf places, floors with geometrical design, creepers and flowers which were rhythmic and smooth mostly gardens and varandas and palaces, Royal courts (Diwan-E-Khas), public courts (Diwan-E-Aam). Different types of tint wall have been painted with ornamentation.

12. Expression of Ideas: - Different sentiments and moods of the emperor depicted beautifully. Example. Anwar Sohil painted a depiction of emperor in sad mood, obedient, restless queens and nervous court men in a scene of emperors.

13. Gold and Silver color: - Mostly used in painting necklaces, footwear’s and turbans and borders.