Twilight of the Sultanate c17.s9.9

c17.s9.9

Bābur's other remarks about the Indians not having "ingenuity or mechanical invention in planning or executing their handicraft works, no skill or knowledge in design or architecture", are also not entirely without foundation. Bābur has remarked that in Hindustan even arts and crafts were the monopoly of particular castes. "Again: every artisan there is follows the trade that has come down to him from his forefather."¹⁸¹ In view of this, and in keeping with the Indian tradition, the emphasis was on preserving the old designs in art and craft rather than inventing new ones, so that the sculptural and architectural achievements of the Hindus, of which we are so proud, excelled in everything except in the novelty of vision and design. The causes of lack of mechanical inventions have already been discussed in an earlier context. Bābur was a good judge of men and things. What he appreciated he praised unhesitatingly. He was deeply impressed with the beauty of Raja Mān Singh's fort and palace at Gwalior, and declared: