The New Cambridge History of India, Volume 1, Part 3: Mughal and Rajput Painting

The Mughals seized political power in north India in 1526 and became the most important artistically active Muslim dynasty on the subcontinent. In this richly illustrated work, Dr. Milo Beach shows how Mughal patronage of the arts was radically innovative for the Indian context and profoundly altered the character of painting in the Rajput Hindu areas of north India. He reveals the different styles and subjects of Mughal and Rajput painting and the interplay of the two traditions. Beach also explores the tolerance each showed toward outside influence and change, demonstrating a uniquely Indian attitude towards the arts. The Mughals - Descendants Of Timur And Genghiz Khan With Strong Cultural Ties To The Persian World - Seized Political Power In North India In 1526 And Became The Most Important Artistically Active Muslim Dynasty On The Subcontinent. In This Richly Illustrated Work, Dr. Milo Beach Shows How, Between 1555 And 1630 In Particular, Mughal Patronage Of The Arts Was Incessant And Radically Innovative For The Indian Context. The Mughals Also Profoundly Altered The Character Of Painting In The Hindu Areas Of North India Over Which They Ruled. These Initially Independent Territories Belonged To Rajputs, Hindus Of The Warrior Caste. The Author Reveals How Mughal Painting Was Defined By The Styles And Subjects Popular At The Imperial Court, Whereas Rajput Painting Consisted Of Many Local Court Styles, Corresponding To The Various Hindu Kingdoms, Each With Different Tastes And Artistic Inspirations. Deeply Rooted In Indian Artistic Traditions, Rajput Paintings Were Also Closely Allied To Imagery Popular With Indian Villagers And To Works Made For Temple Use Throughout The Subcontinent. By Reproducing Nearly 200 Examples In This Study, Milo Beach Traces The Interplay Of The Traditions Of Mughal And Rajput Painting From The Sixteenth To Nineteenth Centuries. He Demonstrates The Tolerance Each Showed Towards Outside Influence And Change And Thus Helps To Define A Uniquely Indian Attitude Towards The Arts. The Author Also Expands His Narrative By Listing, In An Appendix, Important Dated Manuscripts And Related Publications. Mughal And Rajput Painting Makes A Major Contribution To The Study Of North Indian Painting. This Work Will Be Widely Read By Students And Specialists Of Art History, Indian History, And South Asian Studies As Well As By Anyone Interested In Indian Art. List Of Illustrations -- General Editor's Preface -- Preface -- Introduction -- Painting In North India Before 1540 -- 1540-1580: Painting At Muslim Courts -- 1580-1600: The New Imperial Style And Its Impact -- 1600-1660: Mughal Painting And The Rise Of Local Workshops -- 1600-1700: The Growth Of Local Styles -- 1700-1800: The Dominance Of Rajput Painting -- 1800-1858: Traditionalism And New Influences -- Appendix -- Bibliographical Essay -- Index. Milo Cleveland Beach. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 240-247) And Indexes. Some vols. paperback editions. Includes bibliographies and indexes. v. 2. Indian states and the transition to colonialism: pt. 1. Indian society and the making of the British Empire / C.A. Bayly -- v. 2. pt. 3. The Sikhs of the Punjab / J.S. Grewel -- v. 3. The Indian empire and the beginnings of modern society: pt. 3. The economy of modern India, 1860-1970 / B.R. Tomlinson -- v. 3. pt. 4. Ideologies of the Raj / Thomas R. Metcalf -- v. 4. The evolution of contemporary India: pt. 1. The politics of India since independence / Paul R. Brass -- v. 4. pt. 3. Caste, society and politics in India from the eighteenth century to the modern age / Susan Bayly The Mughals - descendants of Timur and Genghiz Khan with strong cultural ties to the Persian world - seized political power in north India in 1526 and became the most important artistically active Muslim dynasty on the subcontinent. In this richly illustrated book, Dr Milo Beach shows how, between 1555 and 1630 in particular, Mughal patronage of the arts was incessant and radically innovative for the Indian context.