The correct option is Ethiopia.
Explanation
During the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, miniature painting shifted focus towards scientific realism and naturalism. Ustad Mansur, bestowed with the title Nadir-ul-Asr ("Wonder of the Age"), was the foremost artist in the imperial atelier dedicated to documenting flora and fauna.
Historical Context of the Painting:
- The painting Zebra (1621) is one of Ustad Mansur's most celebrated works.
- The animal depicted was brought from Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia).
- It was presented to Emperor Jahangir by Mir Jafar, who had acquired it from Turks, during the Nowruz (New Year) festivities in 1621.
- Jahangir’s memoirs, the Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri, record his fascination with the animal. He initially tested the markings to ensure they were not painted stripes before commissioning Mansur to create the portrait.
Key Takeaway:
Ustad Mansur was the specialist painter of birds and animals (e.g., Falcon on a Bird Rest, Dodo, Zebra) under Jahangir, and the zebra documented in 1621 was imported from Ethiopia.