Early Indian Miniature Paintings (C. 1000-1550 AD)

The present study aims at highlighting Indian Painting from an obscure area till recently supposed to be one of the dark periods of its history. Here the focus is on the non-Jain illustrations, such as, the Balagopala, vasant Vilasa, and laura Chanda, which were generally overlooked under the glare of the Jain group (between 11th to 16th century AD). The great Indian Painting blossomed into the early 16th century, if not earlier, first as  "Proto Rajasthani" and subsequently as the regional Rajasthani schools, and was destined to impact early Mughal paintings, consequently the Pahari schools. Thus the evidence collated and discussed here is of immense value not only in its historical perspective but also its new aesthetic appeal generated due to the lyricism of poetic work and tales of romance in the medieval (north) India. Special emphasis is given to emerging new trends in the 15 century, which shaped the emergence of proto-Rajashthani style in North India prior to the Akbari style. Technical and the aesthic merits as well as dating and provenance of specimens are also discussed. As its backdrop the Pala, Jaina Sultanate and similar painting movements find place in the present volume. Initial depiction available starts with the iconic representation of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Jaina Tirthankaras, Vidya devices, etc., and culminates into a thoughtfully designed canvas where narratives bring broad panorama of life in all its shades and moods. This burst of contemporary life into paintings is also discusses. As a corollary, the social milieu of these paintings serves as one of the backgrounds. The study brings together the pre-Mughal movement of Indian miniature paintings in their variety.