Indian Miniature Painting

In 2005 the Tokyo National Museum added a group of 193 Indian miniature paintings to its collection. This display features many of these paintings. The history of Indian painting can be traced back to a time more than 2000 years ago, but the earliest examples of miniature painting are illustrations for Jainist and Buddhist scripture, which were painted on hemp palm leaves from the 11th century.

The works in the museum's collection were mostly produced during the Mughal dynasty (16th - 19th centuries). They include illustrations of stories from Mahabharata, Ramayana and other ancient Indian mythology, Hindu deities such as Shiva and Vishnu, portraits of kings, historical stories, love affairs, animals, as well as visual interpretations of music known as raga mala — demonstrating the wide variety of Indian painting subjects.

Mughal miniature paintings are divided into Mughal paintings, which developed in Islamic culture, and Rajput paintings, which belong to Hindu culture. They are also divided by the provenance into five groups: Mughal, Provincial Mughal, Deccan, Rajasthan and Pahari, which show different styles. Covering a wide variety of subjects and styles, the works on display offer a glimpse of the wealthy life of the aristocrats and religious beliefs at the time.