Correct Option
The correct option is 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Hamza Nama (or Dastan-e-Amir Hamza) is a monumental illustrated manuscript that narrates the legendary adventures of Amir Hamza, an uncle of the Prophet Muhammad. It represents one of the earliest and most ambitious undertakings of the Mughal atelier, marking the formative stage of the Mughal School of painting.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The project was neither conceived nor completed during the reign of Babur. While Emperor Humayun enjoyed the oral recitation of these stories, the massive illustration project was commissioned by Emperor Akbar. The project took approximately 15 years to complete, roughly between 1562 and 1577.
- Statement 2 is Correct. The Hamza Nama is distinct because its paintings were executed directly on cotton cloth rather than on paper, which was the standard medium for miniatures. This cloth backing allowed for a much larger scale (approximately 67 x 50 cm), making the illustrations suitable for display while the stories were recited to an audience.
- Statement 3 is Correct. The project was supervised by the two Persian masters, Mir Sayyid Ali and Abd us Samad, whom Emperor Humayun had brought to India. They oversaw a large team of artists, training them to blend Persian techniques with Indian aesthetics.
Key Takeaway
Key Takeaway: The Hamza Nama was a colossal artistic project commissioned by Akbar, unique for being painted on cloth and supervised by Persian masters, laying the foundation for the distinct Mughal style.