Indian Painting under the Mughals, A.D. 1550 to A.D. 1750 c18.28.3

c18.28.3

But his crowning success was when he had trained and brought out the famous Hindu artist Daswanth, who, having been ‘handed over to the Khwajah, in a short time surpassed all painters, and became the first master of the age’. Afterwards his services seem to have become so valuable that he was withdrawn from the school, and promoted about the year 1577 to the appointment of Master of the Mint, which distinguished position he filled with great credit for several years. The result of his association with this department may be observed in the high character of the Mughal coinage of the period, which is not only remarkable for the purity of its metal and fullness of weight, but for its very fine artistic appearance. It is not difficult to see how such perfection was attained. In its production the leading poet was commissioned to compose the couplet, the most skilful calligraphist inscribed it, the ablest sculptor modelled it, and the best engraver fashioned the die. And over all was placed the first artist of the state, so that the coin should be the most finished artistic production of its kind. Under such unique conditions it is not surprising that the work of Akbar’s mint is considered superior to that of any other country of the period. The action of the Mughal emperor in this connexion is significant of his attitude generally towards the subject of art, and his application of it to such practical purposes.