Mughal and Rajput painting
Milo Cleveland Beach (Author)
The Mughals - descendants of Timur and Genghiz Khan with strong cultural ties to the Persian world - seized political power in north India in 1526 and became the most important artistically active Muslim dynasty on the subcontinent. In this richly illustrated work, Dr. Milo Beach shows how, between 1555 and 1630 in particular, Mughal patronage of the arts was incessant and radically innovative for the Indian context. The Mughals also profoundly altered the character of painting in the Hindu areas of north India over which they ruled. These initially independent territories belonged to Rajputs, Hindus of the warrior caste. The author reveals how Mughal painting was defined by the styles and subjects popular at the imperial court, whereas Rajput painting consisted of many local court styles, corresponding to the various Hindu kingdoms, each with different tastes and artistic inspirations. Deeply rooted in Indian artistic traditions, Rajput paintings were also closely allied to imagery popular with Indian villagers and to works made for temple use throughout the subcontinent. By reproducing nearly 200 examples in this study, Milo Beach traces the interplay of the traditions of Mughal and Rajput painting from the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries. He demonstrates the tolerance each showed towards outside influence and change and thus helps to define a uniquely Indian attitude towards the arts. The author also expands his narrative by listing, in an appendix, important dated manuscripts and related publications. Mughal and Rajput painting makes a major contribution to the study of north Indian painting. This work will be widely read by students and specialists of art history, Indian history, and South Asian studies as well as by anyone interested in Indian art
xxxii, 252 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 26 cm
9780521400275, 9780511468827, 0521400279, 0511468822
24107267
List of illustrations
General editor's preface
Preface
Introduction
Painting in North India before 1540
1540-1580: painting at Muslim courts
1580-1600: the new imperial style and its impact
1600-1660: Mughal painting and the rise of local workshops
1600-1700: the growth of local styles
1700-1800: the dominance of Rajput painting
1800-1858: traditionalism and new influences
Appendix
Bibliographical essay
Index
English