THE MUGHALS AND THE GROWTH OF A COMPOSITE CULTURE
One redeeming feature in this age was the continuity of the process of Hindu –Muslim synthesis and amicable; contact between the members to the two communities. Consequently the spirit of synthesis and mutual harmony led to the growth of a new synthesized culture which was neither purely Hindu nor entirely growth of a new synthesized culture which was neither purely hind nor entirely Muslim, but a happy fusion of the best elements of the two. Akbar’s reign is religious synthesis was displayed in Akbar’s religious policy of appeasement and the Din –E-IIIahi. In the realm of art the persona and Indian styles of architecture – mingled happily and its excellence was exhibited in the magnificent buildings of Akbar and Shanjahan. Similarly, the mughal painting displays the peoples into a cohesive social unity led to the Hindu – Muslim synthesis in dress, diet, etiquette and modes of living.
Literature could not escape the happy fusion of the two cultures. Vocabulary of the various Indian regional languages – Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, etc. was arrived with Persian and Arabic words. There was a fee exchange of views between the two communities and both freely participated in other’s function. As panikkar remarks, the dress, manners, social amenities and festivals which the Mughals introduced in India ceased to be foreign and were accepted by the people.
The Mughals were patrons of literature and gave considerable impetus to its development in different branches. Persian was considerable patronized by the Mughal Emperors and monumental works in Persian were composed under the liberal patronage of the Mughals. The sixteenth and the seventeenth centuries witnessed the fruition of knowledge and talents of the Hindus. These two centuries are also known as “the Augustan Age of the Hindustani literature”.
The period under review is also noted for a brilliant outburst of the Vaishnava literature in Bengal. The sixteenth century was characterized by great religious upheaval, when vaishnava appealed successfully to the hearts of millions of people in northern India and Bengal. In Bengal, the followers of Chaitanya preached the Bhakti cult. The liberal religion preached by the saint poets of Maharashtra is known as Maharashtra dharma.
The spirit of harmony and synthesis that commenced in the closing years of the Delhi Sultanate, continued in the Mughal period even in the realm of fine arts. The Mughal Emperors being lovers of fine arts had evolved new styles and techniques which indicate a happy mangling of Persian and Indian elements. This synthesis has left a deep impression on painting, architecture, embroidery, jewellery and metal work of the age. In fact, with the advent of the Mughals, Indian architecture enters a new phase in which the rugged austerity and simplicity of the work of the earlier Sultans of Delhi is softened and beautified by Persian influence. Architecture under the Mughals attained its most sumptuous form. The Mughals added the elements of grandeur and originality to the grace and decorative spirit of Hindu architecture.
The Mughals actively patronized music. This contributed to the growth of the Hindustani music. The celebrated singers and musicians composed and introduced new varieties of ragas, like Tirana, thumari; gaze, quawwali etc. and some Sanskrit works written on music were translated into Persian. The Mughal court witnessed a change in the status of musicians. The Hindus regarded music pre-eminently a religious art. Those who were devoted to it or followed ity as a profession were not socially degraded.
The accou nt of fine arts under the Mughals would be incomplete if other arts are not mentioned here. The art of jewellery attained a high level of perfection. The art of embroidery made considerable progress. The art of weaving and dying was cultivated with remarkable success. Excellent carpets of the richest silk, brocades, silks, muslins, shawls and chintzes of this age became famous all over the world.
Thousands of foreigners began to enter India during the hundred and fifty years of the great Mughals. India’s name stood high in the world and she was ranked among th most civilized and powerful nations. The Mughal rule has considerably influenced Hindu culture. Habits, manners, dress and social amenities introduced by the Mughals found general acceptance. There arose uniformity of social manners and dress among the people, irrespective of their social manners and dress among the people, irrespective of their creed. In factor, on our dress, etiquette, speech, manners, thought, literature, music, painting architecture the impress of the Mughals is clearly visible. They are neither purely aimed at social and cultural synthesis leading to the growth of a rich composite culture which survives till this day.
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