With reference to the storage of manuscript sets in medieval India, consider the following statements: 1. Paintings were never gifted or traded to ensure their preservation in the royal library. 2. Each set was wrapped in a piece of cloth and stored as a bundle. 3. Paintings were strictly kept within the royal court and never travelled to other regions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is 2 only Explanation In medieval India, particularly within the traditions of Miniature Painting (including Jain, Sultanate, Mughal, and Rajput schools), manuscripts were considered precious commodities. They were produced and preserved in royal workshops and libraries known as Kitab-khanas or Granthakuts. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Incorrect: Unlike modern bound books, medieval Indian manuscripts typically consisted of loose folios (leaves). To ensure their preservation, a set of folios was placed between two wooden covers (patlis) and tightly wrapped in a piece of cloth, often red or yellow, known as a basta. These bundles were then stored in the library. This method protected the delicate paper and pigments from dust, humidity, and insects. - Statement 2 is Correct: Paintings and illustrated manuscripts were not static assets restricted to preservation. They served as significant instruments of diplomacy and social bonding. Rulers frequently gifted manuscripts and albums (muraqqas) to other kings, nobles, and foreign dignitaries as tokens of goodwill or alliance. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: Paintings and manuscripts were highly mobile. They traveled across regions through trade, diplomatic exchange, and the migration of artists. For instance, artists often moved from the Imperial Mughal court to regional Rajput or Pahari courts, carrying their techniques and sometimes artworks with them. Additionally, emperors like Akbar are known to have carried their libraries with them during military campaigns. Key Takeaway Medieval Indian manuscripts were stored as loose folios wrapped in cloth bundles (bastas) but were dynamic objects that circulated extensively through diplomatic gifting and the migration of artists between courts.

With reference to the storage of… - NCERT Class 12 Art & Culture MCQ

NCERT Class 12 Art & Culture — Chapter 1: The Manuscript Painting Tradition

mcqeasy

With reference to the storage of manuscript sets in medieval India, consider the following statements:

Paintings were never gifted or traded to ensure their preservation in the royal library.
Each set was wrapped in a piece of cloth and stored as a bundle.
Paintings were strictly kept within the royal court and never travelled to other regions.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

NCERT textbook question

From NCERT An Introduction to Indian Art - Part II · Page 2

Options

A1 and 3 only
B1 only
C1, 2 and 3
D2 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is

2 only

Explanation

In medieval India, particularly within the traditions of Miniature Painting (including Jain, Sultanate, Mughal, and Rajput schools), manuscripts were considered precious commodities. They were produced and preserved in royal workshops and libraries known as Kitab-khanas or Granthakuts.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect: Unlike modern bound books, medieval Indian manuscripts typically consisted of loose folios (leaves). To ensure their preservation, a set of folios was placed between two wooden covers (patlis) and tightly wrapped in a piece of cloth, often red or yellow, known as a basta. These bundles were then stored in the library. This method protected the delicate paper and pigments from dust, humidity, and insects.
Statement 2 is Correct: Paintings and illustrated manuscripts were not static assets restricted to preservation. They served as significant instruments of diplomacy and social bonding. Rulers frequently gifted manuscripts and albums (muraqqas) to other kings, nobles, and foreign dignitaries as tokens of goodwill or alliance.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Paintings and manuscripts were highly mobile. They traveled across regions through trade, diplomatic exchange, and the migration of artists. For instance, artists often moved from the Imperial Mughal court to regional Rajput or Pahari courts, carrying their techniques and sometimes artworks with them. Additionally, emperors like Akbar are known to have carried their libraries with them during military campaigns.

Key Takeaway

Medieval Indian manuscripts were stored as loose folios wrapped in cloth bundles (bastas) but were dynamic objects that circulated extensively through diplomatic gifting and the migration of artists between courts.

Your note

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Consider the following terms mentioned in the Chitrasutra regarding the limbs of painting: 1. Roopbheda: Looks and appearance 2. Pramana: Aesthetic composition 3. Lavanya yojana: Measurements and proportion 4. Sadrishya: Resemblance How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

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With reference to the materials used in Western Indian manuscripts, consider the following statements: 1. Early Jain paintings were traditionally done on copper plates. 2. Paper was introduced in Western India in the fourteenth century. 3. Wooden covers called patlis were placed on top and bottom of the manuscript for protection. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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The 'Nimatnama', a Sultanate-period manuscript, is often referred to as the:

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