Indian Painting under the Mughals, A.D. 1550 to A.D. 1750 c16.26

c16.26

want of genius is not the reason why works of superior art are not exhibited in the capital. If the artists and manufacturers were encouraged, the useful and fine arts would flourish; but these unhappy men are contemned, treated with harshness, and inadequately remunerated for their labour. The rich will have every article at a cheap rate. When an Omrah or Mansubdar requires the services of an artisan, he sends to the bazaar for him, employing force, if necessary, to make the poor man work; and after the task is finished, the unfeeling lord pays, not according to the value of the labourer, but agreeably to his own standard of fair remuneration. . . . How then can it be expected that any spirit of emulation should animate the artist or manufacturer?