Maharao Ummed Singh gave patronage to which style ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 3:
Maharao Ummed Singh, specifically Maharao Ummed Singh I (reigned c. 1770–1819), was a great patron of the Kota school of painting, which is a major branch of the Hadoti School of Rajasthani art. During his long and successful reign, the Kota style reached its zenith, primarily gaining fame for its highly dramatic and realistic **Shikar** (hunting) scenes. These large-scale paintings vividly depict the Maharao and his retinue hunting tigers and other animals in dense, lush jungles, a subject matter that is the defining characteristic of the Kota style and was directly supported by his personal passion.

The incorrect option is 1:
The Kishangarh school flourished primarily under the patronage of Raja Sawant Singh (also known as Nagaridas) in the 18th century, which is a different royal house and period. This school is renowned for its distinctive portraiture, most famously the stylized depiction of the idealized female form in the painting *Bani Thani*. Kishangarh paintings are characterized by their elongated faces, sharp features, graceful curves, and spiritual devotion, a style distinctly different from the heroic hunting themes of Kota.

The incorrect option is 2:
The Mewar school is one of the oldest and most traditional styles of Rajasthani painting, with its main center at Udaipur. Major patronage came from rulers like Maharana Jagat Singh I in the 17th century. The style is known for its vivid, hot colours, simple compositions, and focus on illustrating religious and poetic texts like the *Ragamala* and *Bhagavata Purana*, making its artistic themes and patrons distinct from those of the Kota school.

The incorrect option is 4:
The Jaipur school, part of the Dhundhar sub-school, was patronized by the Kachwaha rulers, such as Sawai Jai Singh II and Sawai Pratap Singh. This style showed significant Mughal influence, incorporating elements of naturalism, elaborate court scenes, and large-scale portraits. While an important Rajasthani school, its primary patrons and artistic focus differ from Maharao Ummed Singh and the unique, wildlife-focused style of Kota.