Mughal Miniature Painting

A Mughal miniature painting titled “A Family of Cheetahs in a Rocky Landscape”, attributed to the celebrated Mughal painter Basawan (c. 1575–80), has set a new world record at Christie’s auction in London, selling for £10.2 million (~$13.6 million).
Created during the reign of Emperor Akbar (1556–1605), the artwork is executed in opaque pigments with gold highlights and is admired for its remarkable realism, minute detailing, and naturalistic depiction of landscape and animal life.

Key Facts About Mughal Paintings

Origin

The Mughal School of Painting emerged in the 16th century as a distinctive miniature art form combining Persian artistic styles with Indian elements.
Initially used for manuscript illustration and album art, Mughal painting soon became an important expression of imperial culture and sophistication.

Evolution of Mughal Painting Across Different Reigns

1. Babur (1526–1530)

Babur’s short and militarily focused reign did not contribute significantly to the development of Mughal painting.
However, his memoir Baburnama later inspired illustrated manuscripts under his successors.

2. Humayun (1530–1540, 1555–1556)

Humayun, during his exile at the Persian court of Shah Tahmasp, was exposed to the refined Safavid painting tradition.
He brought two eminent Persian painters, Mir Syed Ali and Khwaja Abdus Samad, to India, laying the foundation for Mughal painting.
A notable work from this era is “Princes of the House of Timur” (c. 1550).

3. Akbar (1556–1605) – Founder of Mughal Painting

Akbar established the first formal Imperial Painting Atelier (Tasvir Khana) and created a dynamic fusion of Persian, Indian, and later European artistic influences.
His period saw the introduction of an Indian colour palette, realistic human expressions, and large-scale illustrated manuscripts such as the Akbarnama and Hamzanama.

Prominent Artists

• Basawan

• Daswanth

• Lal

• Miskin

• Kesu Das

Akbar also encouraged techniques such as shading and perspective, inspired by paintings brought by Jesuit missionaries.

4. Jahangir (1605–1627) – Golden Age of Naturalism

Jahangir, an accomplished connoisseur of art, elevated Mughal painting to its pinnacle.
The style shifted towards portraits, nature studies, and finely detailed representations of birds, flowers, and animals.

Prominent Artists

• Ustad Mansur

• Abu’l Hasan

• Bichitr

Jahangir’s emphasis on scientific naturalism and precise observation made this period the most refined phase of Mughal art.

5. Shah Jahan (1628–1658)

Under Shah Jahan, the imperial atelier continued to flourish but with less innovation.
The paintings became more ornamental, featuring increased use of gold, decorated borders, and themes related to court life, music, romance, and architecture.

6. Aurangzeb (1658–1707)

Aurangzeb showed minimal interest in painting, viewing it as un-Islamic.
As a result, imperial patronage declined, leading many court painters to migrate to Rajput and Deccan courts, where their techniques significantly influenced local art traditions.

7. Later Mughals (18th Century)

There was a brief revival under Muhammad Shah Rangeela (1719–1748), with artists depicting themes of leisure, romance, and music.
However, by the time of Shah Alam II, Mughal painting had deteriorated, giving way to Rajput, Pahari, and Company School styles.

Legacy and Impact of Mughal Painting

Mughal painting evolved into a distinctive classical Indian art tradition, influencing regional schools such as Bikaner, Bundi, Kishangarh, and various Deccan ateliers.
It also laid the groundwork for scientific naturalism in Indian art, especially through Jahangir’s detailed botanical and zoological studies.
The Mughal artistic legacy persisted long after the decline of the empire and played a key role in shaping later artistic movements, including the Company School in the 18th and 19th centuries.