The correct option is Madho Das.
Explanation
The Malwa School of painting, flourishing in the 17th century in Central India (present-day Madhya Pradesh), is known for its bold use of contrasting colors, flat backgrounds, and archaic features. Unlike the Mughal style, it retained a two-dimensional simplicity. The school produced several illustrated manuscripts, including the Rasikapriya, Amaru Shataka, and various Ragamala series.
Option Analysis
- Sahibdin is incorrect: Sahibdin was a master painter of the Mewar School. He is renowned for painting the Ragamala set in 1628 CE and other significant works like the Rasikapriya and Gita Govinda.
- Madho Das is correct: Madho Das is the artist associated with the Malwa School. He painted a specific Ragamala set in 1680 CE at Narsinghgarh. This set represents a later phase of the Malwa style, characterized by more refined drawing and intricate architectural details compared to earlier Malwa works.
- Nisardin is incorrect: Nisardin (or Nasiruddin) is associated with the early Mewar School. He painted the famous Chawand Ragamala set in 1605 CE during the reign of Rana Amar Singh I.
- Manohar is incorrect: Manohar was a prominent painter of the Mewar School (and also worked in the Mughal atelier). He is well-known for his illustrated Ramayana (1649 CE) and other works in the Jagat Singh I period.
Key Takeaway: Madho Das is the key artist of the Malwa School responsible for the 1680 CE Ragamala, whereas Sahibdin, Nisardin, and Manohar are stalwarts of the Mewar School.