give an account of growth of miniature paintings during medieval period?in long
- Miniature paintings, as name suggests, are small – sized paintings done in water colour on cloth or paper
- The earliest forms of miniatures were on palm leaves or wood.
- Some of them were used to illustrate Jain texts and Mughal Emperors like Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan patronized highly skilled painters who illustrated manuscripts of historical accounts and Poetry
- These were represented in miniatures in brilliant colours that portrayed court scenes, scenes of battle, hunting expedition, aspects of social life etc
- These were exchanged as gifts which were viewed by Emperor and his associates
- This miniature style spread to Himachal Pradesh where it was known as Basohli
- After Nadir Shah’s invasion, Mughal artists fled to hills where patrons patronized this unique painting which led to foundation of Kangra school of Painting
- By 18th century, a new style was given to miniature painting by Kangra artists which gets its inspiration from Vaishnavite traditions
- The themes of Kangra painting were cool colours like blue and green and lyrical treatment of painting style