Renaissance painting on biblical themes, full of exoticisms and great
naturalism, inspired Mughal patrons, Akbar (r. 1556-1605), Jahangir (r.
1605-1627), Shah Jahan (r. 1628-1657) and their court painters active at
Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Lahore and Delhi. Akbar s drives in search of truth in
religion drew Christianity and its images close to the people of India. It
proved to be a friendly meet between the East and the West and from there
emerged a distinct Mughal entity in the art of India. The rulers and the artists
of the Deccan Sultanates also showed interest in biblical pictures. The artists
active at Bijapur and Golconda adapted conventions of