🖌️ Chapter 04 · Topic 03 · Indian Paintings

Rajput Painting Schools

Mewar, Bundi, Kota, Kishangarh, Marwar schools; Radha-Krishna themes; bold colours; comparison with Mughal painting — complete UPSC & PSC notes.

🎨 Rajput Painting — Overview

Rajput painting (also called Rajasthani painting) developed in the Rajput courts of Rajasthan from the 16th century CE onwards
Developed parallel to Mughal painting but with distinct Indian character
Themes: Hindu religious subjects — Radha-Krishna, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Ragamala (musical modes), Barahmasa (twelve months)
Style: bold, flat colours; strong outlines; stylised figures; less naturalism than Mughal; more emotional and devotional
Influenced by Mughal painting after Akbar’s conquest of Rajputana — but retained distinct identity
After Aurangzeb’s reign, many Mughal artists moved to Rajput courts, enriching the tradition

🏛️ Major Rajput Painting Schools

School	Location	Key Features	Notable Works
Mewar	Udaipur, Rajasthan	Oldest Rajput school; bold colours (red, yellow, green); flat figures; Ramayana and Krishna themes; Chawand style (early)	Rasikapriya, Ragamala series; Chawand Ragamala (1605 CE)
Bundi	Bundi, Rajasthan	Lush vegetation; dark green backgrounds; elephants and horses; Ragamala; influenced by Mughal	Ragamala series; hunting scenes
Kota	Kota, Rajasthan	Offshoot of Bundi; hunting scenes; vigorous animals; dense forest backgrounds	Hunting scenes; Durgadevi paintings
Kishangarh	Kishangarh, Rajasthan	Most distinctive style; elongated figures; lotus-petal eyes; Radha-Krishna devotion; Nihal Chand (master painter)	“Bani Thani” — the “Indian Mona Lisa”; Radha-Krishna series
Marwar (Jodhpur)	Jodhpur, Rajasthan	Bold colours; strong outlines; folk character; Nath sect influence	Ragamala; Bhagavata Purana illustrations
Amber/Jaipur	Jaipur, Rajasthan	Mughal influence; court scenes; portraits; later period	Court scenes; portraits of Jaipur rulers

⭐ Bani Thani (Kishangarh): The most famous painting of the Kishangarh school, painted by Nihal Chand in the 18th century. It depicts a woman (believed to be Bani Thani, a poetess and singer at the Kishangarh court) with characteristic elongated features — arched eyebrows, lotus-petal eyes, sharp nose, and a graceful neck. The painting is often called the “Indian Mona Lisa.” It was featured on an Indian postage stamp in 1973. The Kishangarh style is known for its idealised, ethereal beauty.

🎨 Mughal vs Rajput Painting — Comparison

Feature	Mughal Painting	Rajput Painting
Themes	Court scenes, portraits, nature, history	Hindu religious — Radha-Krishna, Ramayana, Ragamala
Style	Naturalistic, detailed, three-dimensional	Bold, flat, stylised, two-dimensional
Colours	Subtle, refined, Persian palette	Bold, primary colours — red, yellow, green
Figures	Realistic proportions	Stylised, elongated (especially Kishangarh)
Background	Landscape, architectural settings	Flat colour or stylised landscape
Emotion	Restrained, formal	Devotional, emotional, lyrical

✅ Revision Checklist — Rajput Painting

✅ Rajput painting = Rajasthani courts = 16th century onwards
✅ Themes = Radha-Krishna + Ramayana + Ragamala + Barahmasa
✅ Style = bold flat colours + strong outlines + stylised figures
✅ Mewar = oldest Rajput school = bold colours = Chawand Ragamala (1605 CE)
✅ Bundi = lush vegetation + dark green + elephants
✅ Kota = offshoot of Bundi = hunting scenes + vigorous animals
✅ Kishangarh = elongated figures + lotus-petal eyes = Nihal Chand
✅ Bani Thani = Kishangarh = Nihal Chand = “Indian Mona Lisa”
✅ Marwar = bold colours + folk character + Nath sect influence