Hindu Saints In Mughal Paintings

Abstract

The miniature paintings, which are unique among survivals of Indian art for its inscribed portraits of Saints (Yogis and Sannyasis) who can be identified as historical, legendary or symbolic figures associated with the un-orthodox, electric movements of medieval Hinduism, expressions of popular religious beliefs and practices of the Indian masses - which thrived in the Mughal India during 16thand 17th centuries.
Pictorial art, though important, and sometimes indispensable in constructing history of past yet remains to be examined. Pictorial representation, especially those bearing the stamp of realism, deserves utmost attention of historians. They acquire greater important from the fact that in them one has visual information of what we may not ordinarily get in chronicles. In many instances the descriptions are very details and frank. The Mughal painter was not primary concerned with portrayal of the common peoples: Numerous Mughal painting exhibit outdoor scene (such as the remote landscape for background) that evinces a scope large enough to cover the various aspects of commoner’s life. The depiction of ascetics was a major theme of the Mughal painting. They appear in their natural surroundings in an unidealizes setting. The Dervishes, hermits are truthfully depicted wandering or in groups. We find that picturization of their ways and means of living; sartorial habits etc. are in conformity with the contemporary textual evidence concerning them.