1. What are miniature paintings?
A) Large murals painted on temple walls
B) Small-sized paintings done in watercolor on cloth or paper
C) Cave paintings depicting daily life
D) Frescoes created using wet plaster
2. Where were some of the earliest miniature paintings found in India?
A) Ajanta Caves
B) Western India, illustrating Jaina texts
C) Konark Temple
D) Mysore Palace
3. Which Mughal emperor was a major patron of miniature painting?
A) Babur
B) Akbar
C) Aurangzeb
D) Bahadur Shah Zafar
4. What themes were commonly depicted in Mughal miniature paintings?
A) Village life and agriculture
B) Court scenes, battle scenes, and royal portraits
C) Religious rituals and temple worship
D) Scenes of maritime trade
5. What was a key feature of miniature paintings during the Rajput period?
A) They were entirely monochrome
B) They depicted Hindu mythology, love stories, and nature
C) They were exclusively painted on temple walls
D) They only portrayed Mughal emperors
6. Which region in India developed the bold and intense style of Basohli miniature painting?
A) Rajasthan
B) Punjab
C) Himachal Pradesh
D) Odisha
7. Which famous text was most popularly painted in the Basohli style?
A) Ramcharitmanas
B) Bhanudatta’s Rasamanjari
C) Arthashastra
D) Bhagavad Gita
8. What was the effect of Nadir Shah’s invasion in 1739 on Indian miniature painting?
A) It led to the complete destruction of miniature painting
B) It caused Mughal artists to migrate to the hills and establish new schools of painting
C) It resulted in a shift to large-scale mural painting
D) It discouraged the practice of painting among the royal courts
9. Which school of miniature painting developed in the mid-18th century and was inspired by Vaishnavite traditions?
A) Pahari School
B) Bundi School
C) Kangra School
D) Kishangarh School
10. Which colors were commonly used in Kangra miniature paintings?
A) Bright reds and yellows
B) Dark blues and browns
C) Soft blues, greens, and pastels
D) Black and white only
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Answers and Explanations
1. B) Small-sized paintings done in watercolor on cloth or paper
Miniature paintings were small, detailed artworks done on cloth, paper, or palm leaves.
2. B) Western India, illustrating Jaina texts
Some of the earliest miniatures were used to illustrate Jaina religious texts in western India.
3. B) Akbar
Akbar was a major patron of miniature painting, commissioning detailed historical and literary manuscripts with illustrations.
4. B) Court scenes, battle scenes, and royal portraits
Mughal miniatures often depicted detailed courtly life, battles, and royal figures in vibrant colors.
5. B) They depicted Hindu mythology, love stories, and nature
Rajput miniatures were distinct in their depiction of mythology, landscapes, and romantic themes.
6. C) Himachal Pradesh
Basohli painting, known for its bold colors and stylized figures, developed in the Himalayan foothills.
7. B) Bhanudatta’s Rasamanjari
The Basohli school was famous for illustrating Rasamanjari, a poetic text.
8. B) It caused Mughal artists to migrate to the hills and establish new schools of painting
After Nadir Shah’s invasion, Mughal artists fled to regional courts and the hills, leading to the development of new painting traditions.
9. C) Kangra School
Kangra miniature painting flourished in the 18th century, known for its delicate and lyrical themes inspired by Vaishnavism.
10. C) Soft blues, greens, and pastels
Kangra miniatures were characterized by soft pastel colors, particularly blues and greens, creating a dreamlike effect.
