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Basharat Ullah

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Sheikh Basharat Ullah (1801–1892[1][2]), also known as Basahathullah or Basahatullah, was a Punjabi miniature painter who was employed as a court-painter for various states, such as Patiala State.[note 1][3][4][5]

Biography

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Basharat's family were originally from Lahore but were also based in Delhi and later Patiala, where they remained for over a hundred and fifty years.[6][7] Basharat Ullah was the son of Allah Ditta, another artist.[note 2][8][9] His father Allah Ditta moved to Patiala to work as a court-painter after studying the art of miniature painting under Mirza Shah Rukh Beg in Delhi.[7]

In 1825, Basharat was based out of Lahore of the Sikh Empire.[10][6] Due to his family background, he was knowledgeable in Mughal miniature styles.[6] He painted Sikh themes and was heavily influenced by the Pahari school of art, such as the Kangra style.[10][6][11] He was the disciple of Shiva Ram of Patiala and also Purkhu of Kangra.[3][10][6]

Basharat Ullah's son was Haji Muhammad Sharif, who also became an artist.[6][12] Basharat initially wanted his son to become a watchmaker instead of an artist.[13] Basharat had his son trained by Muhammad Hasan Khan of Delhi.[7] Muhammad Sharif would also be employed by the Patiala Durbar until 1944.[7]

Legacy

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Some of his inscribed works have survived till the present.[12][14] Some of Basharat's works are preserved in the Toor Collection.[15]

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  • Painting of the head of Guru Tegh Bahadar being brought to Anandpur, where Guru Gobind Singh pays obeisance, circa 19th century
    Painting of the head of Guru Tegh Bahadar being brought to Anandpur, where Guru Gobind Singh pays obeisance, circa 19th century
  • Painting of Kashmiri Pandits petitioning Guru Tegh Bahadur for help against persecution of Hindus in Kashmir by the Mughal Empire, circa 19th century
    Painting of Kashmiri Pandits petitioning Guru Tegh Bahadur for help against persecution of Hindus in Kashmir by the Mughal Empire, circa 19th century
  • Aurangzeb sitting on his throne, receiving the news of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur and the Guru's companions, Bhai Mati Das and Bhai Dayala Das at Delhi's Chandi Chowk
    Aurangzeb sitting on his throne, receiving the news of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur and the Guru's companions, Bhai Mati Das and Bhai Dayala Das at Delhi's Chandi Chowk
  • Painting of Sikhs in battle
    Painting of Sikhs in battle
  • Maharajah Narinder Singh of Patiala on an elephant proceeding up the rampart of a palace
    Maharajah Narinder Singh of Patiala on an elephant proceeding up the rampart of a palace
  • Guru Tegh Bahadar and a young Gobind Rai at the Anandpur Darbar
    Guru Tegh Bahadar and a young Gobind Rai at the Anandpur Darbar
  • Guru Tegh Bahadar receives news of the birth of Gobind Rai
    Guru Tegh Bahadar receives news of the birth of Gobind Rai
  • Painting of Maharaja Narinder Singh of Patiala State in procession, ca.1850
    Painting of Maharaja Narinder Singh of Patiala State in procession, ca.1850
  • Painting of Mughal emperor Akbar meeting Guru Amar Das in 1567 at Goindwal
    Painting of Mughal emperor Akbar meeting Guru Amar Das in 1567 at Goindwal
  • Bhai Sukha and Bhai Mehtab Singh confront Massa Ranghar
    Bhai Sukha and Bhai Mehtab Singh confront Massa Ranghar

Notes

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  1. ^ His name is alternatively spelt as 'Bisharat Ullah'.
  2. ^ His father's name is alternatively spelt as 'Alla Ditta'.

References

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  1. ^ Batham, Roop Narayan (2023). Indian Painters of Colonial Era (1750 - 1950 AD). p. 31.
  2. ^ The Artists of the World: Bio-Bibliographical Index by Profession. Vol. 6: Master Draughtsman (Sweden) - Painter (Barbados). K.G. Saur. 2002. p. 411. ISBN 9783598247101.
  3. ^ a b Srivastava, R. P. (1983). Punjab Painting. Abhinav Publications. pp. 55–56. ISBN 9788170171744.
  4. ^ Kaur, Harpreet (24–30 June 2021). "Guru Tegh Bahadur: Protector of Human Rights" (PDF). Khalsa Samachar. 31 (25): 7–8.
  5. ^ Sikhs: A Story of a People, Their Faith and Culture. DK. Penguin. 25 April 2023. pp. 156–157. ISBN 9780593849422.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. ^ a b c d e f Hasan, Musarrat (1998). Painting in the Punjab Plains: 1849-1949. Ferozsons. pp. 131, 148, 136, 167. ISBN 9789690014269.
  7. ^ a b c d Exhibition of Miniature Paintings: Ustad Haji Muhammad Sharif (PDF). Alhamra Pakistan Art Council Lahore. 24 October 1960.
  8. ^ Goswamy, B. N. (2000). Piety and Splendour: Sikh Heritage in Art. National Museum. pp. 9, 245.
  9. ^ Gupta, Shiv Kumar (1999). Creation of the Khalsa: Fulfilment of Guru Nanak's Mission : Khalsa Tercentenary Commemorative Volume. Publication Bureau, Punjabi University. p. 157. ISBN 9788173805738.
  10. ^ a b c Chaitanya, Krishna (1976). A History of Indian Painting. Vol. 2. Abhinav Publications. pp. 6–7. ISBN 9788170173106.
  11. ^ Aryan, Krishan Chander (1977). 100 Years Survey of Punjab painting (1841-1941). Punjabi University. pp. 33, 97.
  12. ^ a b Strong, Susan (1999). The Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms (illustrated ed.). Weatherhill. pp. 171, 245. ISBN 9780834804715.
  13. ^ Focus on Pakistan. Vol. 4. Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation. pp. 32–33.
  14. ^ Grewal, Reeta (2005). Five Centuries of Sikh Tradition: Ideology, Society, Politics, and Culture : Essays for Indu Banga. Manohar. pp. 110, 119. ISBN 9788173046537.
  15. ^ Toor, Davinder S. (2018). "Artists". Toor Collection. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
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