R.A.S./R.T.S. Pre 1992

Mughal Art and Patronage

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The famous painter of Mughal Emperor Akbar was-

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept Akbar’s royal atelier was a training ground for hundreds of artists. He personally identified talent from humble backgrounds and turned them into masters of the Mughal style.

Explanation Daswant (or Daswanth) was one of the most brilliant painters of Akbar's court. A commoner by birth, he was spotted by the Emperor and trained by Persian masters. He was the leading artist for the Razmnama (Mahabharata) and the Hamzanama, creating dynamic, high-action scenes that defined the early Mughal style.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Daswant specialized in narrative energy and complex compositions, making him the favorite for grand epics.
Logic 2: Other painters like Abul Hasan and Ustad Mansoor (Options A and D) were the superstars of the later Jahangir era, not Akbar's.

Active Recall

Question

Which manuscript is Daswant most famous for?

Answer

He is primarily celebrated for his lead role in illustrating the Razmnama, the Persian translation of the Mahabharata.

Core Insight

Daswant’s rise from a menial worker to a court superstar shows the 'meritocratic' nature of Akbar's patronage of the arts.