Mughal painting is a particular style of Indian painting, generally confined to miniatures either as book illustrations or as single works to be kept in albums, which emerged from Persian miniature painting, Developed during the period of the Mughal Empire (16 – 19 centuries). When the second Mughal emperor, Humayun was in Tabriz in the Safavid court of Shah Tahmasp I, he was exposed to Persian miniature painting. When Humayun returned to India, he brought with him two accomplished Persian artists, Sayyid Ali and Abdus Samad. Their works, and the assimilation of local styles during succeeding decades, with Indian Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist influences gave shape to a distinct style, which became known as Mughal painting.
The very mention of Mughal Paintings evokes stylized images of richly draped figures involved in various court activities. Though there is very little regard for realism, these paintings capture ones imagination because of their unique style and selection of themes.
The popular perception of Mughal paintings is not altogether an unfounded one, these Paintings hardly follow the dictum of realism in style but their themes are as true to its period as possible. In fact they can be seen as the most substantial specimens of their times.
Mughal Paintings were rich in variety which included portraits, events and scenes from the court life, wild life and hunting scenes, and illustrations of battle fronts, some paintings also depicted lovers in intimate positions.
Mughal miniature paintings are still being created today by a small number of artists in India concentrated mainly in Jaipur. Although many of these miniatures are skilful copies of the originals, some artists have produced modern works using classic methods to, at times, remarkable artistic effect.
