Correct Option
The correct option is 2 only
Explanation
The Nujum al-Ulum (Stars of the Sciences) is a significant illustrated encyclopedia from the Bijapur School of Deccan painting. Commissioned by Ali Adil Shah I in 1570 A.D., this manuscript is preserved in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin. It serves as a primary example of the early Deccan style, characterized by a synthesis of Persian, Ottoman, and indigenous Vijayanagara influences.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The manuscript is voluminous and richly illustrated. It contains exactly 876 miniatures. These illustrations cover a wide range of subjects, including constellations, magic, and spiritual forces, reflecting the text's encyclopedic nature.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The depiction of women in the Nujum al-Ulum is distinct from the Mughal style. The women are portrayed in South Indian dress (saris), reflecting the local aesthetic traditions of the Deccan, specifically the influence of the Lepakshi mural paintings of the Vijayanagara empire. They are typically shown as tall and slender, contrasting with the North Indian attire seen in Mughal miniatures.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The illustrations are not derived entirely from indigenous Sanskrit texts without foreign influence. While the manuscript incorporates Indian spiritual concepts (such as the anthropomorphic forms of the Ruhani or spiritual forces), the iconography exhibits significant foreign influence. For instance, the angels depicted in the manuscript are shown in Turkish fashion, and the text itself deals with Islamic cosmology and astronomy alongside Indian elements.
Key Takeaway
Key Takeaway: The Nujum al-Ulum is a masterpiece of the Bijapur School (Deccan painting) that blends Islamic (Ottoman/Persian) iconography with South Indian (Vijayanagara) aesthetics, distinct from the contemporary Mughal style.