Reflection of the Din-i-Ilahi on Indian Painting in the Era of Akbar Shah

The current study analyzes the worldview of the Din-i-Ilahi and its effect on Indian painting over Akbar Shah era. Akbar Shah founded “Din-i-Ilahi” aiming at the toleration and integration of Indian society. This approach of Akbar Shah resulted in the solidarity as well as the political and ideological unity of the (Indian) subcontinent and a new definition of the concept of culture and art was established in the land of India parallel to these developments. Given the conditions governing this era, a free space was provided for various schools of painting to be influenced by each other, besides the emergence of a turning point in Indian painting and illustration; hence, the works illustrated in this era are mentioned as an independent school of art in the history of Indian art. The present research is aimed at answering the question: What was the reflection of the Din-i-Ilahi on Indian painting during Akbar Shah era? This research takes the advantage of a descriptive-analytical method and the analysis of the visual and content characteristics besides the investigation of the research hypothesis is performed by qualitative method. Based on the results of the analysis of this period’s illustrated works, the Indian painting’s indigenous characteristics along with Iranian-Islamic features, as well as the western elements were harmoniously mixed together in a familiar way. Accordingly, the themes of Iranian culture, Indian symbolism, and Western perspective and naturalism led to the emergence of an acceptable unity in the paintings, resulting in the emergence of a unique and original school. Thus, as a universal language, art may be an interface to reveal the world’s solidarity in different forms, just as Akbar Shah who used the art capacity in the best way to make the subcontinent integrated and cohesive.