Miniature Paintings

Miniature paintings were those paintings that were made on perishable material. Perhaps this the reason due to which there is no definite proof of their birth & development. Miniature paintings have been painted in different parts of India with regional variations.
Miniature paintings are characterized by delicate brushwork and existed in the forms of ‘illuminations' or normal paintings. Miniature Painters used different substances for coloring their drawings, for instance minerals, vegetables, precious stones, indigo, conch shells, pure gold and silver.




The miniature paintings of Bengal, Bihar & Orissa, resemble the Ajantha style. Buddhist manuscripts were illustrated, mostly paintings of Buddha on palm leaves.


In Gujarat, miniature paintings, Jaina manuscripts can be seen. The style of the Jaina caves at Ellora were followed. In the later stages the fine application of colour diminished from the Gujrat miniature paintings. Gujrat miniature styles also have the influence of Persian style.
The miniature paintings of Mughals are known for their distinctive finishes and delicacy.

The Mughal miniature paintings have lot of Persian influence. Court scenes were depicted in grandeur. For the background hilly landscape were mainly used. The painters also depicted flowers & animals but applied their own skill to develop on the Persian ideas.


The Rajput miniature paintings can be further subdivided into the Rajasthani style & the Pahari style. The subject matter of the paintings were mostly religious & love subjects, based on Lord Rama & Lord Krishna. Court scenes were depicted as also royal portraits. Bold outlines & brilliant colours are characteristic of Rajasthani paintings.