The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
The Mughals were descendants of two prominent lineages: Genghis Khan (Mongol) from the maternal side and Timur (Timurid) from the paternal side. Their political legitimacy and cultural identity were heavily influenced by how they chose to project this ancestry.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Mughals actively celebrated their genealogy through art. Each ruler commissioned paintings depicting themselves alongside their ancestors. A common motif in Mughal miniature painting involved group portraits showing the emperor with his Timurid predecessors to emphasize continuity and legitimacy.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Far from avoiding it, the Mughals frequently depicted themselves with Timur. They took great pride in their Timurid ancestry because Timur had captured Delhi in 1398, providing a historical precedent for their rule in India. Paintings often showed Timur handing the imperial crown or symbols of sovereignty to Babur or other Mughal emperors.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The Mughals preferred to be associated with Timur rather than Genghis Khan. The memory of Genghis Khan was associated with the massacre of innumerable people and was linked to the Uzbegs, the Mongol competitors of the Mughals. Consequently, they emphasized their paternal Timurid lineage over their maternal Mongol connection.
Key Takeaway: The Mughals derived their primary political legitimacy from their descent from Timur (Timurids) and distanced themselves from the "Mughal" (Mongol) identity associated with Genghis Khan due to its association with massacres and rival Uzbeg tribes.