Regional school of painting

Published on 12 Oct 2025

The miniature painting which became popular during the reign of the Mughals and Rajputs has many regional strands which are representative of the cultural and artistic traditions of the region. 

• Deccan school: Deccan style was noted for their dense compositions using rich and brilliant colours. Their costumes, jewellery and landscape also were distinct thus marking more association with the region.

• Ahmednagar school: The influence of Persian influence like the high horizon, gold sky and the landscape could be noticed. Women portrayals had a mix of Lepakshi and pre-Mughal essence.

• Example: Illustrations in Tarif-i- Hussain Shahi

• Bijapur school: These paintings were mostly influenced by the Lepakshi murals with ladies being tall and slender.

• Example: The Throne of Prosperity painting.

• Golkonda school: The Qutb Shahi patronized the use of rich and brilliant colours, like the colouring of the sky in gold and blue in separate bands.

• Example: The Composite horse painting.

• Pahari school 

• Basohli painting: This regional style is characterized by the use of a monochrome background and the use of strong contrasting colours.

• Example: Paintings of events from Bhagavata Purana and Rasamanjari.

• Guler painting: These were more naturalistic, refined and more elegant than the Basohli painting. Feminine figures were painted with well-modelled faces.

• Example: Lady Smoking a Huqqa at the Terrace painting 

• Kangra painting: These were extensions of Guler painting characterized by better portrayal of landscape and minute detailing. Female faces were delineated with straight noses.

• Example: Paintings based on Gita Govinda 

• Mysore paintings

• Base: Painted on cloth or wood with themes being of Hindu gods and goddesses.

• Painting style: More focus on detailing with the use of fine lines. The centrality of the image was maintained.

• Decorations: Use of original gold and the absence of embellishments. Gesso works were low in relief.

• Example: The paintings in the Sritattvanidhi manuscript.

• Thanjavur paintings

• Base: Paintings were done on wooden planks and hence called palagai padam.

• Painting style: Thanjavur style gave less emphasis to detail.

• Decoration: Use of gold foils and precious gems for decoration. Gesso works were thick and extensive.

• Example: The painting of Nataraja and his wife Shivakami

All these regional styles reflected the socio-cultural practices of the region and these diversities have enhanced the quality of Indian paintings to a large extent.

Tags:
History & Culture

Keywords:
Regional school of painting miniature painting Mughals and Rajputs Deccan school Ahmednagar school Tarif-i- Hussain Shahi Lepakshi murals Bijapur school Throne of Prosperity painting Golkonda school Qutb Shahi Composite horse painting Pahari school Basohli painting monochrome background Bhagavata Purana and Rasamanjar Guler painting Lady Smoking a Huqqa Kangra painting Gita Govinda Mysore paintings Sritattvanidhi manuscript Thanjavur paintings Nataraja Gesso works

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Art and Architecture