The earliest phase of Bundi painting, the Bundi Ragamala dated 1591, was painted at which place?

The correct option is Chunar.

Explanation

The Bundi School is a significant branch of the Rajasthani School of miniature painting, distinguished by its lush vegetation, dramatic night scenes, and vibrant color palette. Its origins are historically linked to the interaction between the Hada Rajput rulers and the Mughal court.

Historical Analysis:

• The earliest dated examples of Bundi painting belong to a Ragamala series painted in 1591 A.D.
• This series was executed at Chunar (located near Varanasi in present-day Uttar Pradesh).
• During this period, the Hada Rajput rulers of Bundi, specifically Rao Bhoj Singh, held jagirs (feudal land grants) in Chunar under the suzerainty of the Mughal Emperor Akbar.
• The Chunar Ragamala paintings exhibit a synthesis of the Mughal style (evident in the costumes and naturalism) and the indigenous Rajasthani style (seen in the composition and color usage).
• Artists named Sheikh Hasan, Sheikh Ali, and Sheikh Hatim are associated with this specific set, indicating the presence of Muslim artists trained in the Mughal tradition working for Rajput patrons.

Key Takeaway: The Chunar Ragamala (1591) serves as the earliest benchmark for the Bundi School of painting, created at Chunar due to the political presence of Bundi rulers in that region.