Nineteenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

In the mid-eighteenth century, Awadh was the epitome of cultural activities of the deteriorating Mughal dynasty. The dynasty was founded by the first nawab of Awadh Saadat Khan (r.1722-1739) and culturally nurtured during the reign of the third nawab Shuja-ud-daula (r.1754-1775). In the mid-18th century when the Imperial Mughal court splendour was fading, many well-trained Mughal painters, artisans, poets and writers flocked to Awadh for patronage. As this place turned to the hub of artistic activities, it attracted many European patrons. They had a keen interest in collecting imperial Mughal art and apart from collecting they also patronized to the local painters as well as those who migrated from Delhi. After the battle of Buxar in 1764 political and financial power went in the hands of the East India Company so it was elementary to access the nawab’s treasure. Patrons like Polier, Gentil, Martin, and Richard Johnson were particularly attracted to Awadh and its culture. The research paper focuses on how European patrons commissioned some of the marvelous work of the mid-18th century. The objective of my research is to focus on the singularity of the European patron and commercial relationship with the Indian painters.