India has always delighted in the use of colour, from the ancient murals and frescoes that adorn the Buddhist caves at Ajanta, the richly decorated temples and monuments (many now whitewashed), it’s a tradition that has persisted throughout the centuries and perhaps most noticeable today with textiles of the most vivid hues. I don’t think anyone who has been to India would argue against it being easily the most colourful country on the planet.
After the mural, the most important form of painting in India is the illustration of religious and secular texts. No illustrated manuscripts survive in India prior to circa 900 A.D, with the earliest surviving examples having been applied to leaves of the talipot palm, known as palm-leaf manuscripts.
Dated 1260 A.D.
Paper was introduced to India in the late 14th century, and slowly many of the themes and styles derived from earlier Hindu and Jain palm-leaf manuscripts were applied to this new medium. Miniature paintings are most closely associated with the Mughal and Rajasthani artistic traditions. Mughal miniature painting emerged as an important artform during the reign of Akbar and was used as a way to illustrating story books and recording life at the Mughal court (and immortalising imperial triumphs).
The National Museum in New Delhi houses a vast collection of paintings from the various artistic traditions, one could easily consume a day focusing on just these galleries alone. What follows is a brief virtual tour, showcasing pieces that I personally found the most interesting. Although I haven’t specifically ordered these photographs, they broadly start with Hindu works, progressing through to Mughal miniatures, and concluding with a couple of Jain pieces.
Below each piece is a short description, origin within India, and date.
Please click on any of the following images to view them in a larger format.
Based on the story of Bhagavata-Purana
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Circa 1750
Ajmer-Sawar, Rajasthan
Circa 1700 – 1725
The ballad of Dhola-Maru was composed by poet Kallol (150-60) in Dingal language during the reign of Raval Hariraj of Jaisalmer
Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Circa 1810
Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Circa 1750
Bundi, Rajasthan
Circa 1725 – 1730
Kota, Rajasthan
Circa 1800
South India
Circa 1880 – 1890
Bundi, Rajasthan
Circa 1770
Mewar, Rajasthan
Circa 1750
Raghogarh, Madhya Pradesh
Circa 1770
The ballad of Dhola-Maru was composed by poet Kallol (150-60) in Dingal language during the reign of Raval Hariraj of Jaisalmer
Agahtpur, Mewar, Rajasthan
Dated 1592
The famous Vishwanatha Temple of Varanasi and it surrounding temples are painted on this Shaivite pilgrimage cloth
Mewar, Rajasthan
Circa 1700
Based on the story Devi-Magatmya of the Markandey Purana
Basohli, Pahari
1690 – 1695
Mankot-Basohli, Pahari
Circa 1750
Based on the story of the epic Ramayana
Shangri, Mandi, Pahari
Circa 1750 – 1760
Mandi, Pahari
Circa 1725
Nurpur-Basohli, Pahari
Circa 1750
Painted on a wooden manuscript cover
Bengal
Circa 1800
Top – Krishna holding mount Govardhan
Bottom – Krishna dallying with gopies
Kallu, Pahari
Circa 1800
Ganjifa was a popular game during medieval times with origins dating back nearly 600 years. The term Ganjifa grew out of the persian word ‘Ganj’, meaning ‘treasure’. A pack of Gabjifa consisted of 96 cards divided into 8 suits of 12 cards each. The cards were usually circular or rectangular and were made of ivory, hardboard, or thin wood. They usually depicted numerals on the obverse and scenes of hunting, processions, animals and birds on the reverse.
Parvati, Ganesha, Karttikeya and Banasura playing musical instruments
Chamba, Pahari
Circa 1800
Painted on a wooden manuscript cover
Nathadwara, Rajasthan
Circa 1880
Painted on a wooden manuscript cover
Nathadwara, Rajasthan
Circa 1880
Sirohi, Rajasthan
Dated 1737
Based on the story of the Bhagavata Purana
Kangra, Pahari
Circa 1800
This folio of Sri Guru Granth Sahib depicts three planes of cosmic existence as have been conceived in Hindu mythology and gifted to Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Kashmir Sikh mixed style
Dated 1839
Kullu, Pahari
Circa 1750
Bilaspur, Pahari
Circa 1800
In medieval India cows were fed with sunflowers containing yellow pigments which passed into their urine and dung. Later by boiling such cow dung artists used to obtain the powder of yellow pigments.
Mewar, Rajasthan
Circa 1850
Mathara period, Tanjore style, Tamil Nadu
Early 19th century
Ganesha, Karttikeya, sage Bhringi, Vyagrapada, Tumburu and Patanjali are shown paying homage to the divine image of Shiva and Parvati seated on Nandi, the white bull. Traditional south Indian Shiva temples always display stone images of a seated Nandi, generally facing towards the main shrine
Maratha period, Tanjore style, Tamil Nadu
Early 19th century
A scene after Rama’s coronation ceremony, accompanied by Sita, Lakshmana, Bhrata, Shatrughana, Hanuman and several nobles and sages
Maratha period, Tanjore style, Tamil Nadu
Early 19th century
Punchmukhi, or five-faced aspect of Hanuman, can be traced to the Ramayan where Hanuman takes on five incarnations as Hanuman, Narsimha, Varaha, Hayagriva and Garuda to extinguish five lamps in five different locations at the same time, or to kill Mahiravan the king of Patala. The five directions are Garuga (as west), Narsimha (as south), Varaha (as north), Hanuman (as east) and Haragriva (as akasha – the sky)
Maratha period, Tanjore style, Tamil Nadu
Early 19th century
Lakshmi, consort of Vishnu, is considered to be the goddess of wealth and prosperity. In her depiction while being flanked by two elephants showering holy water on her, she is known as Gaja-Lakshmi. Elephants are the symbols of stability, wealth and prosperity in Indian art
Maratha period, Tanjore style, Tamil Nadu
Circa 1800
The cosmic form of Kamadhenu, the co, is depicted ith several deities on her body. Krishna is standing under a Kadamba tree holding a stick and a bowl. The form of Krishna as a cowherd boy is popularly knon as Banke-Bihari. The painting has compositional and colour harmony against a deep red background
Maratha period, Tanjore style, Tamil Nadu
Early 19th century
Here is lord in in floral garb. The Poolangi Seva is one of the typical adornments of Lord Venkateswara at Tirimala (Triupati) temple on Thursday evenings
Maratha period, Tanjore style, Tamil Nadu
Early 19th century
Shivaji II was the last Maratha ruler of Tanjore. Following his death, the kingdom was annexed by the British
Maratha period, Tanjore style
Circa 1840
The chhatri of Sawant Singh is one of many impressive chhatris that line the banks of the river Betwa at Orccha in Madhya Pradesh
Orchha, Bundelkhand, Central India
Circa 1750
Datia, Bundelkhand, Central India
Circa 1775
An illustration from Baburnama, the memoirs of Babur
Mughal, Akbar period
Dated 1598
Tansen was one of the greatest singers of all time who composed several new Indian classical Ragas. He was one of the nine jewels in the Mughal emperor Akbar’s court. The tomb of Tansen can be visited today in Gwalior.
Mughal, Akbar period
Circa 1590
Another illustration from Baburnama, the memoirs of Babur
Mughal, Akbar period
Dated 1598
Mughal, Shahjahan period
Circa 1660
Mughal, Shahjahan period
Circa 1660
Mughal, Muhammadshah period
Circa 170 – 1725
Sir Thomas Roes came to the court of Jahangir in 1615 as an ambassador of King James I and remained in the court for three years. He carried with him several paintings on the theme of Christianity which brought about European influence to Mughal miniatures
Mughal, Jahangir period
Circa 1620
Bikaner Rajasthan
Circa 1780 – 1790
NurJahan built Itimad-ud-Daulah in Agra, a mausoleum for her parents, which is well worth visiting
Mughal, Muhammad Shah period
Circa 1740 – 1750
Mughal, Muhammad Shah period
Circa 1740 – 1750
Based on the story of the Persian epic ‘Shahnama’ by Firdausi
Mughal, Shah Alam period
Circa 1810 – 1825
Mughal, Shah Alam period
Circa 1800 – 1810
A folio from the Mandu Kalpasutra
Jain style, Mandu, Central India
Dated 1439
Jain style, Western India
Circa1475 – 1500
That concludes my short virtual tour of the paintings at the National Museum in Delhi. Further posts on some of the other galleries (e.g. bronzes) will be appearing over the next few weeks, which combined will hopefully give a reasonably comprehensive account of what can be seen there.
If you are planning on visiting this museum, I would suggest at least a full day is set aside and that you arrive early.
The National Museum opening times are usually :
Tue – Fri (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
Sat & Sun (10:00 AM to 8:00 PM)
(Closed on Mondays and National Holidays)
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If you’re interested in using any of my photography or articles please get in touch. I’m also available for any freelance work worldwide, my duffel bag is always packed ready to go…
KevinStandage1@gmail.com
kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com
Categories: Delhi, India, National Museum, Painting Galleries
Kevin Standage 
Mr. Standage. Genuinely impressive. Thanks for uploading.
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You’re welcome ! Thanks for your encouraging comment, and for stopping by.
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These are lovely. If I did nothing for a month but study all of this art, I would learn so much history. It’s tempting. Can’t wait to get back to India to visit the National Museum. Thanks so much for sharing these.
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I wonder how you managed to get camera inside and take proper orthographic photographs.
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Photography is allowed in the museum, some of the images I took did need a bit of manipulation to get them properly square on. The reflections on the glass in front was the most challenging to try and avoid !
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Simply outstanding Kevin. Just out of curiosity – was this just one session at the museum, or where you there on multiple days for this photo shoot?
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It was a single (but long) day. There’s a lot more to come from this museum over the next few weeks !
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Enjoyed going through this. Thanks.
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Thank you !
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Sir, are you going to share Indus Valley and Buddhist Galleries from National Museum?
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My first time visiting your blog site. Impressed by the wealth of information, pictures, and just as importantly your attention to detail and expression of a lovely Indian Heritage. Will be coming here often ! Thank you.
Holmdel Prasanna, NJ
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Thank you, it is a labour of love for sure. I usually travel to India for two months at the start of each year, so most of my blogging output is from March – June, then for the summer I’m supervising archaeological excavations in the UK. It looks like my travels will be impossible in early 2021, but I have a places from the last few years that I have yet to blog about. Stay safe, and thankyou for visiting my site!
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Hello Kevin
Love your work. Absolutely awesome.
Thank you.
Do you have the full picture of Varanasi Pilgrimage Pata?
The picture you posted is just half.
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Which image are you specifically refering to ? (filename will do). I can check, but I’m guessing I may only have half of it…
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Sorry i was not clear.
The image is ksp_0281.
I remember (when i went years ago) it was much bigger.
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Yes I do have more of it, but I had to take multiple shots and stitch them together, which didn’t turn out too great 🙂
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