Chapter- 02

The Rajasthani School of Miniature Painting

Q. 1: Describe briefly (in about 250-300 words) the Origin and development of
Rajasthani School of miniature painting and specialties of its sub-schools.
or
Q. 1: Write An essay on Rajasthani school of miniature painting.

Ans. 1: Introduction- Rajasthani or Rajput paintings is considered as a bright chapter in the history of Hindu
Miniature Painting of a high standard in north western India. In the beginning of the 15th century, the
delineation of miniature painting in the Jain Kalpasutra style was started in Mandu. In these paintings we
find the collaboration of specific elements of Persian painting, local folk arts and the great art traditions of
Ajanta and Gujrat.
Origin- With the coming of Baj Bahadur in the throne of Mandu (Malwa) both figures and style deviated
from the Apbhransa style and leaned more and more towards Rajasthani paintings. Thus a new style of
Rajasthani painting originated.
Development-Two major factors contributed greatly to the development of Rajasthani painting, first, the
economic prosperity enjoyed by the commercial community of Rajasthan and second the revival of the
growth of Bhakti cult. The influence of poets and writers like Ramanuja, Ramananda, Tulsidas, kabir, Sri
Chaitanya, and Meerabai,it resulted in the expansion of the imaginative horizon of the Rajasthani miniature
artists and in the inclusion of subjects related to Sri Ramcharit, Geet-Govinda, the divine Love Radha and
Krishna, Hara-Parvati, ancient tales, lives of saints, Barahmasa or the monthly festivities of the year and
Indian Rag-Raginis based on Indian Classical music.On the basis of geographical diversities and local
interests, the art of Rajasthan can be classified into several sub-school of miniature painting.
1.Mewar Sub-School of Miniature Painting– The real beginning of a polished style of Mewar painting
started in 1571 A.D., replacing the Apabhransa style, when a large number of noted painters fled from
Mandu after the surrender of Baj Bahadur to Mughals in 1570 and took shelter at Mewar from where a full
fledged Rajasthani style of painting originated at Mewar in around 1571 A.D.. The noted painters are
Sahibdin and Manohar. Famous painting is Maru-Ragini of this sub-school.
2.Bundi Sub-Schoolof Miniature Painting – The first miniature painting of Bundi style was painted in chunar
in the form of Ragmala series of paintings. Bundi has a well-practiced hand in portraits. The famous paiter is
Utkalram and painting is Raja Aniruddh Singh Hara of this sub-school.
3.Jodhpur Sub-School of Miniature Painting – In the beginning of 17th century, it was known for Pali
Ragmala Paintings. Pure indigenous is the stylistic of these paintings. The famous painter is Dana and
painting is Chaugan Players of this sub-school.
4.Bikaner Sub-School of Miniature Painting –The painters accepted the tradition of Bikaner style and
shown their interest towards the Hindu myths. Ali Raza, Master Sahibdin, Ruknuddin, and Nuruddin the
famous Painters and the painting is Krishna on Swing of this sub-school.
5.Kishangarh Sub-School of Miniature Painting –Mysterious beauty of women is the life of kishangarh. The
world famous painting Radha (Bani-Thani) and king Raja Sawant Singh are the identity of Kishangarh style.
Painters Nihal Chand, Bhawani Das and Surat Ram are priceless heritage of the painting kingdom.
6. Jaipur Sub-School of Miniature Painting –This style got patronage in the reign of king Sawai Jai Singh.
The famous painting of this sub-school is Bharat meets Rama at Chitrakut and painters are Guman,
Mohammad Shah and Sahib Ram.
Main features- The indigenous style of the Rajasthani painting shows a regional feature in the depiction of
facial types, local scenery and technical details can be found in different sub-schools. Compositions are very
clear and simple, the use of bright red, blue, yellow, and green colours gives a contrasting brilliance

Q. 2.On the basis of your study, describe the compositional arrangement of the
following paintings of Rajasthani School. Write the answers in each about
30 –50 words.
(a) Maru-Ragini (b) Bharat meets Rama at Chitrakut
Ans.2(a).Name: Maru- Ragini Painter: Sahibdin Sub-school: Mewar (Udaipur)
Medium: Water colour on Hand made Paper Technique-: Tempera
Circa: 17th century Collection: National Museum, New Delhi
Compositional arrangement: The painting’s space divided into three parts. In very lower
part of foreground two male escorts are riding alongside the camel with sticks in their
hands, swords and daggers in their scabbards. A dog painted in motion. In the foreground
near horizon line the King and Queen are shown riding on a camel back in desert
background and an attendant is proceeding ahead of the camel. In the background, to
shown winding surface, green-yellow colours have been used with proper effect. In the
background sky is painted in deep blue suggestive of night.

Ans.2(b) Bharat meets Rama at Chitrakut (Students write the appropriate ans.
Yourself)
Q. 3. Describe the following briefly:
(a) Sub-school of Bikaner Painting (b) Sub-school of Kishangarh Painting
(c) Sub-school of Mewar Painting (d) Sub-school of Bundi Painting
Q.4.Mention the main features of the Rajasthani School of Miniature Painting.
Write the answer in about 100 – 150 words.
Ans.4. The main features of the Rajasthani School of Miniature Paintings are.
 The indigenous style of the Rajasthani painting shows a regional feature in the
depiction of facial types, local scenery and technical details can be found in different
sub-schools.
 The symbolic of multiple aesthetic sentiments of Indian life, its daily activities and
sudden flashes of emotional thoughts are drawn in a unique style.
  Compositions are very clear and simple, which are represented through specific
musical modes and religious themes with Radha and Krishna are profusely illustrated.
 All figures are in same dimension in complete disregard of perspective. Women
figures
 are duplicated in same manner as symbol of all femininity with lotus eyes, flowing
tresses, firm breasts, slender waists and rosy hands.
 Paintings are two dimensional with simplification of lines and flat colour scheme.
Colours have been used harmoniously. The use of bright red, blue, yellow, and green
colours gives a contrasting brilliance. Gold and silver colour have been delicately used
which add a special glamour to these paintings.

Q. 5.Why do you like or dislike the painting ‘Radha (Bani-Thani)’ Write the
answer in about 100 – 150 words.
Q.6. On which themes/topics have the artists laid emphasis to make miniature
paintings in Rajasthani school?
Q.7.There is subjective vividness in miniature paintings painted in Rajasthani
School. Justify it by your logics.
Q.8.Write a note on the following Paintings of Rajasthani school miniature Painting in
about 100 words each. On the basis of the following topics
1. Title - 2. Painter- 3. Sub-school- 4. Medium-
5. Technique- 6. Circa- 7. Collection- 8. Discription-
(a)Krishna on Swing (b) Chaugan Players