NCERT Class 12 Art & Culture — Chapter 3: The Mughal School of Miniature Painting

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Which European monarch is portrayed in the painting 'Jahangir enthroned on an Hourglass'?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AHenry IV of France
BEmperor Charles V
CPhilip II of Spain
DKing James I of England

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is King James I of England.

Explanation

The painting 'Jahangir enthroned on an Hourglass' is a celebrated allegorical miniature from the Mughal school, attributed to the master artist Bichitr. Created around 1625, it exemplifies the genre of allegorical portraits that flourished under Emperor Jahangir, characterized by the fusion of Persian, Indian, and European artistic elements to project the Emperor's divine status.

Analysis of the Painting:

The composition features Emperor Jahangir seated on a golden hourglass, symbolizing the passage of time. Two cupids (putti) are depicted writing a wish for the Emperor to live a thousand years, a motif borrowed from European Renaissance art.
To the left of the Emperor, four figures are arranged in a vertical hierarchy, signifying their relative importance to Jahangir:
1. A Sufi Shaikh: The topmost figure is a Sufi saint (identified as Shaikh Husain of the Chishti shrine). Jahangir is shown handing a book to him, symbolizing the Emperor's preference for spiritual guidance over worldly power.
2. An Ottoman Sultan: The second figure represents a Muslim ruler, depicted with respectful gestures.
3. King James I of England: The third figure is the European monarch, King James I. He is depicted in contemporary European attire, with his hand resting on his sword. This portrait was likely copied from a painting presented to the Mughal court by the English ambassador, Sir Thomas Roe. His placement below the Shaikh and the Sultan reinforces the Mughal Emperor's claim to superior sovereignty.
4. Bichitr (The Artist): The lowest figure is the artist himself, holding a miniature painting in his hand, demonstrating humility before the Emperor.

Key Takeaway: The painting by Bichitr illustrates Jahangir's symbolic rejection of material power in favor of spiritual company, while simultaneously asserting his dominance over worldly rulers, including King James I of England.

Your note

More from Chapter 3: The Mughal School of Miniature Painting

Consider the following pairs of Pigments and their Sources used in Mughal painting: 1. Vermilion : Cinnabar 2. Ultramarine : Lapis Lazuli 3. Bright Yellow : Orpiment 4. Black : Charcoal How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

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With reference to the pre-Mughal and indigenous schools of painting in India, consider the following statements: 1. Unlike the Mughal style, the indigenous style emphasized a flat perspective and bold modelling of figures. 2. The indigenous style was completely replaced by the Mughal style due to the latter's optical reality and finesse. 3. The Mughal style introduced three-dimensional figure portrayal which was absent in the parallel indigenous schools. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the illustrated manuscript Hamza Nama: 1. It was a project conceived and completed entirely during the reign of Emperor Babur. 2. The paintings were executed directly on cloth rather than on paper. 3. The project was completed under the supervision of the Persian masters Mir Sayyid Ali and Abd us Samad. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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With reference to the artistic developments under Emperor Jahangir, consider the following statements: 1. His atelier preferred mass production of manuscripts over individual high-quality artworks. 2. The practice of creating Muraqqas became popular under his patronage. 3. He employed the artist Basawan to achieve sophistication in painting. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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With reference to the painting Noah’s Ark from the Diwan-i Hafiz, consider the following statements: 1. It is ascribed to the artist Daswant. 2. It depicts the sons of Noah throwing Iblis out of the ark. 3. It is characterized by a vertical perspective that infuses the painting with dramatic energy. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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The correct option is King James I of England.

Explanation

Analysis of the Painting:

The composition features Emperor Jahangir seated on a golden hourglass, symbolizing the passage of time. Two cupids (putti) are depicted writing a wish for the Emperor to live a thousand years, a motif borrowed from European Renaissance art.
To the left of the Emperor, four figures are arranged in a vertical hierarchy, signifying their relative importance to Jahangir:
1. A Sufi Shaikh: The topmost figure is a Sufi saint (identified as Shaikh Husain of the Chishti shrine). Jahangir is shown handing a book to him, symbolizing the Emperor's preference for spiritual guidance over worldly power.
2. An Ottoman Sultan: The second figure represents a Muslim ruler, depicted with respectful gestures.
3. King James I of England: The third figure is the European monarch, King James I. He is depicted in contemporary European attire, with his hand resting on his sword. This portrait was likely copied from a painting presented to the Mughal court by the English ambassador, Sir Thomas Roe. His placement below the Shaikh and the Sultan reinforces the Mughal Emperor's claim to superior sovereignty.
4. Bichitr (The Artist): The lowest figure is the artist himself, holding a miniature painting in his hand, demonstrating humility before the Emperor.