RAS question
The factory (department) of the Jaipur state where artists made paintings and miniatures was called:
Correct answer: (D) Suratkhana.
The painting workshop of the Amber-Jaipur rulers, where artists made paintings and miniatures for the court, was called the Suratkhana.
Explanation
Suratkhana is the right answer because it was the Jaipur court's painting workshop. Art Histories identifies the Amber-Jaipur rulers' painting workshop as the suratkhana. Archival records such as account books, inventories, daily registers and treasury records reveal it as a centre for the production, upkeep and collection of paintings. As a Jaipur state factory or department, it was the official atelier where artists made paintings, miniatures, portraits and illuminated manuscripts for the court. In other words, Suratkhana names the art workshop itself, not a treasury, jewellery office or textile-related department.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Jawaharkhana was the jewellery department, so it does not name the Jaipur state workshop where paintings and miniatures were made.
- (B) Toshakhana was the treasury department, whereas the painting workshop of the Amber-Jaipur rulers was the Suratkhana.
- (C) Sutarkhana was related to textile work, not to the court atelier responsible for paintings and miniatures.
Concept
This tests the administrative vocabulary of Rajasthan's court art traditions, especially the specialised karkhanas of Jaipur state. RAS repeatedly asks such terms because they connect political history with patronage, painting schools and material culture.