Music and Paintings of Mughal Period Archives

11. The Senia tradition is:

The Senia tradition is:

musical tradition that emerged from the colonial army (Sena)

dance drama written by Keshab Chandra Sen

textile tradition of eastern UP

musical tradition that invoked the name of Tansen, the celebrated musician of Akbar's Court

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2015

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The Senia tradition refers to a significant lineage or gharana within Hindustani classical music that traces its origins or key influences back to the legendary musician Tansen, who was one of the ‘Navaratnas’ (nine gems) in the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar. This tradition encompasses specific styles of singing and instrumental playing.

The Senia tradition is a major school or style of Hindustani classical music, directly linked to the historical figure of Tansen, known for his contributions to North Indian music.

Tansen is considered one of the most influential figures in Hindustani classical music. Various gharanas (musical schools) claim connection to Tansen’s lineage through his descendants or disciples, collectively referred to as the Senia tradition. Examples include the Senia Maihar gharana, Senia Rampur gharana, etc., propagating specific instrumental and vocal styles associated with Tansen.

12. Name the calligrapher in Akbar’s court who was honoured with the title

Name the calligrapher in Akbar’s court who was honoured with the title “Zarrin Kalam” or Golden Pen

Abul Fazl

Tansen

Muhammad Husayn

Muhammad Kasim

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2017

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In the court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, several artists and scholars flourished, including renowned calligraphers. The title “Zarrin Kalam” meaning “Golden Pen” was a high honour bestowed upon calligraphers for their exceptional skill.

Muhammad Husayn, a celebrated calligrapher originally from Kashmir, was awarded the title “Zarrin Kalam” or “Golden Pen” by Emperor Akbar for his exquisite calligraphy, particularly in the Nastaliq script.

– Abul Fazl was Akbar’s chief advisor and the author of Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari, not a calligrapher.
– Tansen was a legendary musician and composer in Akbar’s court.
– Muhammad Kasim is not widely documented as receiving this specific title in Akbar’s court, whereas Muhammad Husayn is consistently mentioned in historical sources as the recipient of the “Zarrin Kalam” title.

13. Tuhfatul Hind, written by Mirza Muhammad ibn Fakruddin Muhammad, is a

Tuhfatul Hind, written by Mirza Muhammad ibn Fakruddin Muhammad, is a text on:

Political theory

Architectural theory

Musical theory

Military techniques

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2021

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Tuhfatul Hind (Gift of India) written by Mirza Muhammad ibn Fakruddin Muhammad (also known as Mirza Khan) is a notable text on Indian music and poetics, composed in Persian during the Mughal period, around the late 17th century.

The work covers various aspects of Indian music, including Ragas, Talas, musical instruments, and singing styles. It also includes sections on Indian poetics, metrics, and other aspects of Indian culture and literature, aiming to introduce these subjects to Persian-speaking readers.

Mirza Khan was associated with the court of Aurangzeb. Tuhfatul Hind is considered an important historical source for understanding the state of Hindustani music and cultural exchange during that era. It demonstrates the synthesis of Persian and Indian cultural traditions.

14. Man Kautuhal, a work on music, was prepared under the aegis of

Man Kautuhal, a work on music, was prepared under the aegis of

Raja Man Singh of Gwalior

Tansen

Meera Bai

Amir Khusrau

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UPSC CDS-1 – 2024

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The correct answer is Raja Man Singh of Gwalior. ‘Man Kautuhal’ is a treatise on music compiled under the patronage and potentially direct involvement of Raja Man Singh Tomar of Gwalior in the 15th-16th century.

Raja Man Singh Tomar (reigned c. 1486–1516) was a significant ruler of Gwalior and a great patron of art and music. He is credited with fostering the Gwalior Qawwali style and commissioning important works on music.

While Tansen was a legendary musician associated with Gwalior, he lived later during the Mughal era under Akbar. Meera Bai was a poet-saint, and Amir Khusrau was a prolific poet, musician, and scholar of the Delhi Sultanate period. ‘Man Kautuhal’ is a key text in the history of Indian classical music, particularly the Dhrupad style.

15. The famous Mughal painting, depicting Jahangir embracing the Safavid k

The famous Mughal painting, depicting Jahangir embracing the Safavid king Shah Abbas, was painted by which one of the following Mughal painters?

Abd al-Samad

Abul Hasan

Dasavant

Bishandas

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UPSC CDS-1 – 2020

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The famous Mughal painting depicting Jahangir embracing the Safavid king Shah Abbas was painted by Abul Hasan.

Abul Hasan was a celebrated Mughal miniature painter during the reign of Emperor Jahangir. Jahangir bestowed upon him the title ‘Nadir-uz-Zaman’ (Wonder of the Age). This particular painting is one of Abul Hasan’s most famous works.

This allegorical painting, titled “Jahangir preferring a Sufi Shaikh over Kings” or similar variations, subtly portrays Jahangir’s worldview and diplomatic relations through symbolism, although the title mentions embracing Shah Abbas, the painting often depicts Jahangir giving preference to spiritual figures over monarchs like the Ottoman Sultan, English King James I, and Shah Abbas. Abul Hasan was renowned for his portraiture and historical scenes. Bishandas was another prominent painter in Jahangir’s court, known for his portraits.

16. Which one of the following books was not illustrated with paintings in

Which one of the following books was not illustrated with paintings in Akbar’s court ?

Hamzanama

Razmnama

Baburnama

Tarikh-i-Alfi

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UPSC CDS-1 – 2016

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Among the given options, Tarikh-i-Alfi was not as famously or extensively illustrated with paintings in Akbar’s court as the other three books.

– Akbar was a great patron of Mughal painting, establishing a royal atelier where many manuscripts were illustrated by artists.
– Hamzanama was one of the earliest and most extensive illustrated projects commissioned by Akbar, involving thousands of large paintings.
– Razmnama, the Persian translation of the Mahabharata, was another major project heavily illustrated under Akbar’s patronage.
– Baburnama, the autobiography of Babur, was also translated into Persian and illustrated multiple times in Akbar’s reign.
– Tarikh-i-Alfi was a universal history commissioned by Akbar to commemorate 1000 years since the death of Prophet Muhammad. While historical manuscripts were sometimes illustrated, Tarikh-i-Alfi is known more for its text compilation. Although some manuscripts might have illustrations, it was not a primary focus for grand scale illustration like the other mentioned works.

Other famously illustrated manuscripts from Akbar’s court include Akbarnama, Tutinama, and the Darabnama. The style of painting developed during this period is known as the Mughal school of miniature painting, characterized by a blend of Persian, Indian, and later European influences.