Indian Painting under the Mughals, A.D. 1550 to A.D. 1750 c11.5.1

c11.5.1

The earlier Mughal emperors—Humayun and Akbar—introduced the art of miniature painting into Hindustan from Persia. Their action in this particular represents, however, only one comparatively small item in a fairly wide movement. From the nature of this movement it may be termed the ‘ Persianization ’ of Northern India. In the train of these emperors was a great medley of Asiatic tribes—Persians, Mongols, Uzbegs, Turks, Kalmacks, and Afghans—who came under the generic name of Mughals. Selections from these comprised the Mughal court, and they also figured prominently among the officials of the administration. When the Mughals first arrived in Hindustan, they found the country in a state of chaos, out of which they proceeded to bring some kind of order, and, subsequently, to reorganize many of its native institutions. To help them in their work of reconstruction they instinctively turned to Persia for guidance, a neighbouring empire which under the effective rule of the Safavids was beginning to proclaim itself a great power. Although not actually of that country themselves, the traditions of the Mughal dynasty, through its Timurid ancestry, were linked with those of Persia. Further, throughout much of their history, Persia and India were geographically much closer than they are to-day, as their boundaries marched together, where is now the barrier of Afghanistan.