Correct Option
The correct option is 2 only
Explanation
The genesis of the Mughal School of Painting is rooted in the cultural exchange between the Mughals and the Safavid court of Persia. Humayun’s exile served as a catalyst for introducing Persian artistic traditions to the Indian subcontinent.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Following his defeat by Sher Shah Suri in the Battle of Kannauj (1540), Humayun fled India. He eventually sought and received refuge in the court of the Safavid ruler, Shah Tahmasp, in Persia (Iran) in 1544.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Humayun was highly impressed by the Persian tradition of miniature painting and the artistic achievements of the Safavid court. Consequently, when he regained the throne of Delhi in 1555, he brought two renowned Persian master artists, Mir Sayyid Ali and Abdus Samad, to India. These artists played a foundational role in establishing the Mughal atelier.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: There is no historical evidence to support the claim that Humayun invited the Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo to his court. While they were contemporaries, Humayun’s cultural and artistic engagements were predominantly focused on the Persian world.
Key Takeaway
Key Takeaway: Humayun is credited with laying the foundation of the Mughal School of Painting by importing Persian masters (Mir Sayyid Ali and Abdus Samad), whose style later blended with indigenous Indian traditions under Akbar.