Paintings during Mughal Period: Art, Culture, and Aesthetics in Medieval India

The Mughals made distinctive contributions in the field of painting.
They introduced new themes depicting the court, battle scenes, and the chase, and added new colors and forms.
They created a living tradition of painting that continued to thrive in different parts of the country long after the Mughal era.
The richness of the style was influenced by India's old tradition of painting, with the wall-paintings of Ajanta being a notable early example.

A vigorous revival began under Akbar, who established a painting workshop at his court.
Under the leadership of two master painters from Iran, the workshop attracted a number of painters from various parts of India.
Both Hindus and Muslims participated in the work, leading to a blend of cultural influences.
Famous painters like Daswant and Basawan contributed to the development of the Mughal painting school.

Under Jahangir, Mughal painting reached its peak with significant progress in portrait painting and depictions of animals.
Artists were recognized for their specialized skills, with Jahangir claiming to distinguish each artist's work in a single painting.
Shah Jahan continued the tradition, with notable constructions and a focus on maintaining artistic standards.

Under Aurangzeb, interest in painting declined, leading to artists dispersing to different regions like Rajasthan and Punjab hills.
This dispersal contributed to the development of distinct regional styles, such as the Rajasthan school combining Mughal forms with local traditions.
The Mughal tradition of painting experienced a revival in the 18th century under the patronage of Aurangzeb's successors.

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