Question

Who were the two master artists that came to India after Humayun regained power?

• A. Shah Tahmasp and Shah Muzaffar
• B. Bihzad and Shah Muzaffar
• C. Mir Sayyid Ali and Abd us Samad
• D. Sayyid Ali and Bihzad

Hint:

Mir Sayyid Ali and Abd us Samad are the foundational figures of the Mughal school of art. Remembering their names is crucial for understanding the origin of this important artistic tradition.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks to identify the two seminal Persian artists who accompanied the Mughal emperor Humayun on his return to India from exile. These artists are credited with laying the foundation of the Mughal School of painting.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
After being defeated by Sher Shah Suri, the Mughal emperor Humayun took refuge in Persia at the court of Shah Tahmasp. During his exile, he was exposed to the refined art of Persian miniature painting. When he regained his throne in Delhi in 1555, he invited two of the most brilliant Persian masters from the royal workshop to join his court. These two artists were Mir Sayyid Ali and Abd us Samad. They became the heads of the imperial art studio and trained a new generation of Indian artists, blending Persian techniques with Indian sensibilities to create the unique Mughal style.
\[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{Bihzad was a highly celebrated Persian master but from an earlier generation; he did not come to India with Humayun.} \\ \bullet & \text{Shah Tahmasp was the Safavid Shah (king) of Persia who gave Humayun refuge; he was a patron, not an artist who moved to India.} \\ \end{array}\]

Step 3: Final Answer:
The two master artists who came to India with Humayun were Mir Sayyid Ali and Abd us Samad.