Mughal Miniature Painting

Timeline

1. c. 1565–1580Agra · Uttar PradeshAkbar engaged Persian and Central Asian painters who worked alongside local Indian artists on large illustrated manuscripts such as the Hamzanama, establishing miniature painting's official court status and experimenting with the fusion of perspective, floral motifs, and narrative paneling.
2. 1591Fatehpur Sikri · Uttar PradeshIn the 1590s, illustrated chronicles such as the Akbarnama were produced in large numbers; miniatures showed more natural color gradations and figure proportions, and painters such as Basawan and Daswanth formed a recognizable Mughal style, with works widely circulated as diplomatic gifts and court furnishings.
3. c. 1598–1605Lahore · PunjabAs the court moved north and Lahore became the secondary capital, miniature workshops continued production in Punjab, with techniques and subjects transitioning into Jahangir's reign, and the tradition of botanical and zoological study further established in this phase.