Indian Painting under the Mughals, A.D. 1550 to A.D. 1750 c13.31.1

c13.31.1

From this brief account of the evolution of painting in Persia, we may now turn to India and endeavour to follow the progress of this art during the corresponding periods of time. The origin of Indian painting does not begin with the Buddhist frescoes of Ajanta and Bagh. These wonderful wall pictures emerge too fully matured to be regarded as the first stages of the art. Long before the Buddhist artist priest perfected his style of work, painting was extensively practised in India, as many references in ancient literature plainly indicate. Nevertheless these pictures of the first centuries of the Christian era are the earliest actual examples of Indian painting that have survived. Of the Buddhist school of painting much might be written, but here it will suffice to say that it formed undoubtedly the foundation of the pictorial art of India in all its succeeding phases. The outstanding feature of these frescoes is their ‘ Indianness ’, for, with the exception of a few extraneous elements, they are essentially Indian in character, expressing in the most truthful manner the life of the time. In figure-drawing, in costume, in scenes from nature, in all the accessories introduced by these skilful artists, it is India and all that appertains to the Indian people that are depicted.