The Deccan School of

Miniature Painting
16th to 19th century
 Origin and Development
Deccani art denotes broadly the miniatures rendered from 16th to 19th century A.D. at Bijapur, Ahmednagar, Golconda and Hyderabad.

Area: -
● Bijapur – (Adil Shahi Rule)
● Ahmednagar— (Nijam shahi Rule)
● Golconda— (Qutub-Shahi rule)
● Hyderabad – Qutub Shahi rule

Deccan style mixture of:

● Middle Eastern (Persian & Byzantine empire)
● Safavid (Iranian dynasty)
● Turkish and Mughal.
● Indigenous.
● The art of Portraiture.
● Presentation of Historical and Religious figures.
● Darwari Art of court Painting.
 Ahmednagar
● Women in the painting of Ahmednagar wear a modified northern
costumwith choli and long Braided.
● pigtails, ending in tassel.
● Deccan painting have similar characteristics with Mughal.
● Influence by Persian Style.
● All features, except the hairstyle, have traces of North Indian or Parsian.
● Male costume is also Northern.
● The Jama with pointed tails and small Pagri.
 Hyderabad
● Themes: often-depicted court scenes, portraits of
rulers, nobles, and important figures, as well as
scenes from everyday life.
● Portraits of prominent figures, including rulers,
nobles, Sufis and administrators like Mir Qamaruddin
khan.
Painting-Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya and Amir Khusro
● Tittle: Hazrat Nizamuddin
Auliya and Amir Khusro.
● Artist: Unknown.
● Sub-school: Hyderabad.
● Medium&Technique:
Watercolour and Tempera.
● Collection: National Museum,
New Delhi.
Subject-matter/Composition/Description
● It depicts Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliyathe revered Sufi saint of the thirteenth
century.
● listening to music being played by his disciple.
● Amir Khusrau, a renowned Indian poet and scholar.
● Even to this day, the dargah of Hazrat Nizamudin Auliya in New Delhi
● It is charming and narrative of a popular Indian theme.
● The Sufi Saints beautifully depicted by facial Expressions, Posture of body
white beard.
● A yellow colour sunny halo.
● In Background a big tree with flower and fruit.
● In the foreground small garden of red flowers.
 Golconda
● Become Independent in 1512 AD.
● Artist came from the Vijaynagar by the end of the
16th century.
● Artist came from the Mughal court in 17th century.
● Golconda art became popular as Dutch merchant
carried the portraits of Sultans in late 17th century to
Europe.
 Painting- Chand Bibi Playing Polo
● Tittle: Chand Bibi Playing
Polo.
● Artist: Unknown.
● Sub-school: Golconda.
● Medium and Technique:
Watercolour and Tempera.
● Collection: National Museum,
New Delhi.
 Subject-matter/Composition/Description
● This painting shows Chand Bibi, the Queen of Bijapur.
● One of the most prosperous and culturally refined Deccani state.
● Chand Bibi was a great sportsperson. Here,
● she is showing playing chaugan.
● The other name for equestrian polo game,
● A popular royal sport of the time.
● The painting appears to be provincial of much later period.
● In this painting 4 Princess are playing polo.
● Background is mixture of green and yellow colour.
● Blue sky, yellow sun and trees and houses are shown in the painting.
● One female is directing the game.
● 4 Horse are in painting.
 Bijapur
● Bijapur school Patronised by— Ali Adil Shah -I
(1558-1580).
● Ibrahim Adil Shah—II (1580-1627).
● Both Adil Shah encouraged Indian Music and
produced the earliest series of Ragamala Painting.
● Bijapur’s richly Illustrated encyclopaedia known as
“Nujum-al-Ulum (1570).
● 876 miniature in it.