Miniature paintings

Published on 12 Oct 2025

Miniature paintings are small, bright and colourful paintings that thrived during the medieval phase of Indian history. The Indian subcontinent has long traditions of these miniature paintings with diverse schools being developed having their unique compositions. Some features of these paintings include

• Size: These paintings should not be more than 25 square inches in size. The subjects are usually reduced to less than one-sixth of their actual size.

• Example: Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita showcases a number of such small Buddhist paintings.

• Themes: The most common themes were related to spiritual nature and revolved around prominent gods. Paintings also explored court scenes as an important theme.

• Example: Geeta Govinda was a prominent theme of the Rajasthani School of Art.

• Use of vibrant colours: Miniature paintings use vivid and vibrant colours derived from natural pigments. Each region and school of art has its own colour palette.

• Example: The painting of Radha and Krishna in the Grove belonging to Kangra School uses vibrant blue, green and red colours.

• Narrative depiction: These paintings often depict mythological, historical and literary narratives, bringing stories and epic to life.

• Example: The Akbar and Elephant Hawai painting portrays Akbar’s encounter with elephant Hawai, and showcases excellent storytelling.

• Use of gold and silver: The incorporation of gold and silver colours has been a highlight of Indian miniature paintings.

• Example: The Goddess Durga Slaying the Buffalo Demon painting of the Basohli school is known for its gold detailing.

• Non-naturalistic proportions: The figures often had elongated necks, stylized facial features and exaggerated postures.

• Example: Mewar school portrays men in a much larger proportion than female characters and thus represents an exaggeration

The evolution of miniature paintings under different empires

In India, miniature paintings initially became popular during the reign of Palas of Bengal. Later many regional schools developed with the paintings attaining their golden period during the times of the Mughals and the Rajputs.

• Pala school ( 8 CE - 12 CE)

• Base: Pala miniature paintings were usually executed on palm leaf or vellum paper.

• Theme: Revolved around Vajrayana Buddhism and was used to promote Buddhist ideas.

• Features: Mostly there are lonely single figures in the paintings with the paintings being characterized by sinuous lines and subdued tones of the background imagery.

• Example: Painting of Buddhist goddess Pancharaksha.

• Apabhramsa school (11th to 15th CE)

• Base: In the early phase, they were made on palm leaf but later they were made on paper.

• Theme: The initial paintings were related to Jainism and in the later phase evolved to represent Vaishnava themes.

• Region: Gujarat and Mewar region of Rajasthan.

• Features: Fish-shaped bulging eyes, pointed nose and double chin are important features of the painting. Common colours being used are red, yellow and ochre.

• Example: Fourteen Dreams of Devananda painting

• Sultanate school

• Persian influence: The Sultanate period paintings had the influence of Persian art styles and techniques. 

• Example:  Persian influence was well defined while describing nature like the flowering trees and grassy turf. Indian elements were reflected in the costumes, colours and ornaments.

• Themes: Court scenes, hunting expeditions of the king and portraits of sultans were the prominent themes during the Sultanate period.

• Mughal school

• Base: Paintings were made on handmade paper with opaque colours from natural sources.

• Themes: Painting shifted completely from religion to glorification of the rulers. Court scenes, depictions of war and portraits of rulers dominated the paintings of the period.

• Example: Jahangir in Durbar painting

• Foreshortening: Using more naturalistic proportions created more depth to the paintings.

• Example: The painting of Layla and Majnun by Mir Sayyid Ali depicts foreshortening and figures with more accurate proportions.

• Naturalism: More realistic portrayal of the subjects could be seen in Mughal paintings in terms of facial expressions and intricate costumes.

• Example: The Painting of Emperor Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh to Kings exemplifies natural detailing in Mughal works.

• Landscape and architecture: Mughal miniature paintings often included lush landscapes, architectural elements, and intricate backgrounds to provide depth and context to the compositions.

• Example: The painting "Humayun's Tomb" portrays the grandeur of the architectural marvel.

• Rajput school

• Themes: Religious themes revolving around Krishna and Vaishnavism were important themes. Paintings also explored durbar scenes, hunting, art performances etc.

• Example: Themes from Geeta Govindam were used in many Rajasthani school paintings.

• Ragamala paintings: The pictorial representation of Indian ragas and raginis. Each of them is personified by colour, mood and verse.

• Example: Painting of Bhairavi Ragini

• Exaggerated features: Figures were often elongated and certain characters occupying disproportionate size can be seen in many paintings.

• Example: Larger male size in Mewar paintings

• Portrayal of nature: Depiction of lush vegetation, and picturesque landscape with flora and fauna in certain paintings.

• Example: Paintings of Bundi school.

• Feminine beauty: Many paintings of Rajput schools portrayed women in the most beautiful manner.

• Example: Paintings of Kishangarh school

Thus, miniature paintings give a glimpse of the artistic excellence, social beliefs and cultural practices prevalent in India, mainly from the post-Guptan phase to the later Mughal phase.

Tags:
History & Culture

Keywords:
Miniature paintings art and culture Geeta Govinda Rajasthani School of Art Radha and Krishna Kangra School Elephant Hawai painting Akbar Goddess Durga Slaying the Buffalo Demon Basohli school Mewar school evolution of miniature paintings Pala school vellum paper plam leaf Vajrayana Buddhism Pancharaksha Apabhramsa school Vaishnava themes Gujarat and Mewar region of Rajasthan fish shaped bulging eyes Fourteen Dreams of Devananda painting Sultanate school Persian influence Sultanate period Court scenes Mughal school Jahangir in Durbar painting Foreshortening Layla and Majnun by Mir Sayyid Ali Naturalism Jahangir Mughal painting Humayun's Tomb Rajput school Krishna and Vaishnavism Ragamala painting ragas and raginis Bhairavi Ragini Mewar paintings Bundi school Kishangarh school Rajasthani school painting

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Art and Architecture