Miniature Painting Schools of Rajasthan

Rajasthan's painting traditions are collectively termed Rajput painting. They are distinct from the Mughal court style, though the two influenced each other after c. 1600 CE. Each major Rajput court developed a recognisable school:

School	Centre	Period	Characteristics	Key Works
Mewar	Chittorgarh/Udaipur	c. 1260–1850 CE	Earliest school; bold outlines, flat colours, Rajasthani facial types; nature as backdrop	Sravaka-pratikramana-sutra (1260 CE manuscript), Ragamala series
Marwar	Jodhpur, Nagaur	c. 1600–1850 CE	Strong reds and yellows; elongated horses; Dhola-Maru romantic themes	Dhola-Maru paintings, Rasikapriya
Amber-Jaipur	Amber, Jaipur	c. 1600–1850 CE	Influenced by Mughal precision; portraiture dominant; later pink/yellow palette	Bihari Satsai illustrations
Bundi	Bundi	c. 1600–1750 CE	Indigo-emerald palette; lush forest landscapes; lyrical nature scenes	Rasamanjari, Ragamala frescoes at Chittrasala
Kota	Kota	c. 1625–1850 CE	Famous for hunting scenes (shikar); vigorous action; developed from Bundi school	Kota hunting-scene manuscripts
Bikaner	Bikaner	c. 1600–1850 CE	Mughal influence strongest; fine brushwork; cool blue-grey palette	Baramasa series
Kishangarh	Kishangarh	c. 1720–1850 CE	Distinctive elongated eyes; associated with Bani Thani ("Indian Mona Lisa")	Bani Thani portrait (c. 1750 CE)

Source: ASI; Rajasthan State Archives; W.G. Archer, Indian Paintings from the Punjab Hills (1973)

Kishangarh School

Though it peaked slightly after the 18th century, court painter Nihal Chand (under Maharaja Savant Singh, r. 1748–1757 CE) created the iconic Bani Thani portrait — a woman with eyes arched like a bow, representing the gopi Radha. The painting was reproduced on a 1973 Indian postage stamp and is the single most internationally recognised work from Rajasthan's painting tradition.

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