Indian Painting under the Mughals, A.D. 1550 to A.D. 1750 c15.22

c15.22

The letters of Sir Thomas Roe afford an excellent insight into life at the Mughal capital, and the conditions of Hindustan generally during the years 1615 to 1618, and some of these epistles contain interesting accounts of his discussions with Jahangir on the subject of miniature painting. The ambassador's mission was an important one, relating to a commercial treaty between India and England, and it shows how prominently art figured in the affairs of state, when it finds a place in several business communications to his directors in London. Roe's position at the court was a difficult one, and he certainly did not see the ‘ Great Mogul ’ to advantage. Surrounding the throne was a screen of scheming officials, some of them unaware of the real objects of the embassy, others, for their own ends, antagonistic, and all supremely ignorant of the character of the country it represented. In these circumstances it is easy to see why Roe's impressions of Jahangir, and the methods of his ministers, were described with a certain amount of bitterness, as his outlook was clouded with much trouble and disappointment. The ambassador had many interviews with the emperor, most of them fruitless so far as the main purpose of his mission was concerned, but they discussed many subjects outside the matter of his business, and one of these led later to several interesting situations. This was the subject of painting. In his fondness for miniatures Jahangir seems to have occupied rather an isolated position among his own people. While he could talk technicalities with his court painters, few of his nobles or officials appear to have been sufficiently advanced in their appreciation of the art to afford him much pleasure in conversing with them on his favourite theme. In Roe he met for the first time a refined and well-educated Englishman, a man of breeding, and one who could express an intelligent opinion on any matter. Jahangir took to Roe at once, possibly on this account, for they had their differences, as the letters relate, chiefly, however, through the intrigues of outsiders ; but the emperor says of his visitor, ‘ I acknowledge you an Ambassador. I have found you a gentleman in your usage,’ a concise but handsome tribute to the diplomatist’s courtly bearing under varying circumstances. On his part, Roe himself was for the first time in the presence of a cultured oriental potentate, and, on the whole, the liking was reciprocated. Jahangir’s gracious manner and uniform courtesy towards him created a very favourable impression, so that he exultantly writes that he was treated ‘ with more favour and outward grace . . . than ever was showed to any Ambassador ’.