Under which Mughal Badshah Mir Sayyid Ali and Basawan worked ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 1:
The correct option is 1 (Akbar). Mir Sayyid Ali, an accomplished Persian master, and Basawan, a celebrated Indian artist, were two of the most instrumental figures in establishing the unique Mughal painting style during the reign of Emperor Akbar (1556–1605). Akbar transformed his royal library into a thriving imperial *karkhana* (studio), where both artists served as supervisors or leading painters on monumental projects. Mir Sayyid Ali initially oversaw the massive *Hamzanama* project, and Basawan was highly praised by Akbar’s biographer, Abu’l Fazl, for his supreme excellence in designing, colouring, and portrait painting. It was under Akbar's vast patronage that these two masters collaborated, fusing Persian and indigenous Indian styles to create the distinct Mughal School of Miniature Painting.

The incorrect option is 2:
Babur (1526–1530), the founder of the Mughal Empire, was a connoisseur of Persian art but did not establish a permanent painting atelier in India. His short and tumultuous reign was dominated by military campaigns to consolidate his rule, and therefore he lacked the time and stability for large-scale artistic patronage. Neither Mir Sayyid Ali nor Basawan were documented as court painters during Babur’s brief time in India. The foundation of the Mughal School of Painting post-dates his rule.

The incorrect option is 3:
Jahangir (1605–1627) was indeed an art enthusiast, and painting reached its highest level of naturalism under him. However, Mir Sayyid Ali had already left the court for Mecca around 1569–1577, well before Jahangir ascended the throne. While Basawan may have been alive during the early years of Jahangir’s reign, his most significant and famous contributions were made to the manuscripts and projects commissioned by Akbar. Jahangir's personal favorites were later artists like Mansur, Abul Hasan, and Bichitr, who pushed the style towards greater technical finesse.

The incorrect option is 4:
Humayun (1530–1540 and 1555–1556) is credited with initiating Mughal painting by bringing the Persian masters, Mir Sayyid Ali and Abd us Samad, to his court from exile. However, the question asks about *both* Mir Sayyid Ali and Basawan. Basawan was an Indian painter who rose to prominence only under the subsequent reign of Humayun's son, Akbar. Therefore, while Mir Sayyid Ali began his career in India under Humayun, both artists did not work simultaneously under him, making Akbar the only ruler under whom both flourished.