Explore the cultural developments under the Mughal rule, focusing on advancements in language, literature, music, and art. Discover the rich legacy of Mughal architecture, paintings, and literary contributions.
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Language, Literature, and Music
Persian and Sanskrit Influence
Persian and Sanskrit played important roles as vehicles of thought and governance at the all-India level during the Mughal period.
The growth of regional languages was spurred by the Bhakti Movement and patronage from local rulers.
During Akbar's reign, Persian became widespread in North India, influencing administrative practices such as revenue record-keeping.
Persian prose and poetry flourished, with figures like Abul Fazl and Faizi making significant contributions.
Development of Regional Languages
Regional languages continued to develop during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, supported by local and regional rulers.
At Banaras, scholars from across the country congregated, contributing to the production of Sanskrit works.
Regional languages like Bengali, Oriya, Hindi, Rajasthani, and Gujarati saw the production of lyrical poetry, often focusing on themes like Krishna and Radha.
The Bhagawat Purana and Ramayana were translated into regional languages, enriching their literary traditions.
Influence of Mughal Court
Hindi poets began to find patronage at the Mughal court from the time of Akbar, blending Bhakti poetry with Persian literary ideals.
Tulsidas emerged as a prominent Hindi poet, advocating for a modified caste system and emphasizing devotion to Rama.
In South India, Malayalam and Marathi reached literary maturity, with figures like Eknath and Tukaram making significant contributions.
Punjabi received renewed attention due to writings by Sikh gurus, revitalizing its literary tradition.
Music Patronage
Music was an area of cultural cooperation between Hindus and Muslims during the Mughal period.
Akbar patronized Tansen of Gwalior, renowned for composing new melodies (ragas), influencing subsequent Mughal emperors like Jahangir and Shah Jahan.
Aurangzeb, while known for restricting singing at his court, continued to support instrumental music, even playing the veena himself.
The largest number of books on classical Indian music in Persian were written during Aurangzeb's reign.
Significant developments in music occurred in the eighteenth century under Muhammad Shah, who was a noted patron of music and musicians.
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