Indian Art and Painting – Important Notes (JKSSB/SSC/UPSC)
🟢 Ancient Indian Paintings
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Prehistoric Rock Paintings (Bhimbetka Caves, Madhya Pradesh):
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Oldest known Indian art
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Depict hunting, dancing, and daily life
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Colors: Natural dyes (red, ochre, white)
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Ajanta Caves (2nd century BCE – 6th century CE):
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Buddhist cave paintings (Maharashtra)
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Themes: Jataka tales, Buddha’s life
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Fresco style (wet plaster wall painting)
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Ellora Caves (Maharashtra):
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Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain influences
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Less painting, more sculpture
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🟡 Medieval Indian Paintings
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Mughal Paintings (16th–18th century):
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Introduced by Humayun, flourished under Akbar
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Fusion of Persian + Indian
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Artists: Basawan, Abdus Samad
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Subjects: Court scenes, battles, nature, portraits
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Rajput Paintings (Rajasthan):
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Bold colors, Hindu themes (Ramayana, Krishna Leela)
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Sub-styles:
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Mewar
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Marwar
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Bundi-Kota
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Kishangarh (Radha-Krishna focus)
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Pahari Paintings (Himachal Pradesh):
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Miniature paintings in hilly regions
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Sub-style: Kangra – known for romantic Radha-Krishna scenes
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Deccan Paintings:
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From Deccan Sultanates (Bijapur, Golconda)
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Elegant women, architecture, rich color tones
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🔵 Modern Indian Art
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Company School (18th–19th century):
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Hybrid style under British patronage
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Documented Indian lifestyle, flora-fauna, monuments
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Bengal School of Art (Early 20th century):
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Revival of Indian traditional art
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Leader: Abanindranath Tagore
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Themes: Myths, Swadeshi spirit
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Raja Ravi Varma:
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Western realism + Indian mythology
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Painted gods and goddesses in lifelike form
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🟣 Folk and Tribal Paintings
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Madhubani (Bihar):
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Natural colors, geometric patterns
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Wedding, gods, animals
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Warli (Maharashtra):
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White tribal motifs on mud walls
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Scenes of daily life, farming, dance
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Pattachitra (Odisha & Bengal):
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Mythological themes on cloth
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Kalighat (Bengal):
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Originated near Kalighat temple, Kolkata
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Bold lines, social themes
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Phad Painting (Rajasthan):
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Scroll painting on cloth
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Narratives of folk deities (Pabuji, Devnarayan)
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Gond Art (Madhya Pradesh):
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Tribal motifs, nature themes, vibrant colors
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🟠 Current Affairs & Cultural Promotion
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National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) – Preserves modern Indian art
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Lalit Kala Akademi – Promotes visual arts in India
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GI Tag:
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Madhubani (Bihar)
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Pattachitra (Odisha)
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Warli (Maharashtra)
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📌 Quick Revision One-Liners
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🎨 Ajanta – Buddhist frescoes
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🎨 Mughal painting – Persian + Indian fusion
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🎨 Rajput painting – Hindu epics, bold colors
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🎨 Ravi Varma – Indian mythology in oil style
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🎨 Madhubani – Folk art of Bihar
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🎨 Warli – Tribal art of Maharashtra
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🎨 Bengal School – Swadeshi art revival
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🎨 Pattachitra – Odisha/Bengal scroll painting
❓ Sample MCQs for Practice
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Ajanta paintings are related to which religion?
a) Jainism
b) Hinduism
✅ c) Buddhism
d) Sikhism -
Who is called the father of modern Indian painting?
a) S.H. Raza
✅ b) Raja Ravi Varma
c) Jamini Roy
d) Nandalal Bose -
Madhubani painting originates from which state?
a) Uttar Pradesh
✅ b) Bihar
c) Rajasthan
d) Odisha -
Which painting style originated during Akbar’s reign?
✅ a) Mughal
b) Rajput
c) Pahari
d) Bengal
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