The earliest surviving miniature paintings are on
palm leaves from the 10th century and on paper
from the 14th century. The images accompanied
texts in religious manuscripts and illustrations
of mythological epics. With the advent of the
Mughals in the mid 16th century, the subjects of
miniature paintings included portraits, court
scenes, flora and fauna. In the Rajput (in
Rajasthan) and Pahari (in the Punjab hills)
courts, the paintings continued to bring to life
poetry, age old legends, religious mythology and
the moods of love and changing seasons. The
emphasis lay on the creation of a mood and the
communication of bhava (emotion) through
a rich and lyrical style. Artists worked
together in karkhanas (workshops) often
working together on a single painting; some
specialising in composition and drawing while
others were master colourists. The most notable
traditions of miniature painting in India are
the Mughal, Rajasthani, Pahari and Deccani
courts.
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