Ustad Mansur - Exam-Level Tricky MCQs

Ustad Mansur - Exam-Level Tricky MCQs

EXAM-LEVEL TRICKY MCQs (100 TOTAL)

✔️ UPSC / UGC NET / State PSC / TGT–PGT level
✔️ Concept-based + confusing options
✔️ Answers provided after each question

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Ustad Mansur – Jahangir Period Artist

Exam-Level Tricky MCQs

PART 1: MCQs 1–25

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MCQ 1

Ustad Mansur is correctly associated with which Mughal emperor’s artistic taste?

A. Narrative illustration of epics
B. Decorative manuscript borders
C. Naturalistic observation of flora and fauna
D. Monumental architectural drawings

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 2

Which Mughal text provides first-hand evidence of Ustad Mansur’s artistic excellence?

A. Akbarnama
B. Ain-i-Akbari
C. Humayunnama
D. Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 3

The title “Nadir-ul-Asr” given to Ustad Mansur reflects:

A. His administrative position
B. His religious scholarship
C. Uniqueness of artistic skill
D. His foreign origin

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 4

Which feature most sharply distinguishes Ustad Mansur from other Jahangir Period Artists?

A. Use of gold pigment
B. Court portraiture
C. Narrative storytelling
D. Scientific accuracy in nature studies

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 5

The painting of the Dodo bird by Ustad Mansur is important because:

A. It shows Persian miniature influence
B. It symbolizes Mughal imperial power
C. It serves as a visual record of an extinct species
D. It was painted for European traders

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 6

Which Mughal atelier did Ustad Mansur work in?

A. Diwan-i-Khas
B. Ibadat Khana
C. Kitabkhana
D. Naqqar Khana

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 7

Which of the following themes is LEAST associated with Ustad Mansur?

A. Exotic birds
B. Rare animals
C. Botanical studies
D. Battle scenes

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 8

The Mughal painting style under Jahangir is best described as:

A. Highly symbolic and abstract
B. Decorative and flat
C. Refined, realistic, and observational
D. Exclusively religious

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 9

Which European influence is visible in Ustad Mansur’s paintings?

A. Cubism
B. Gothic exaggeration
C. Natural proportions and shading
D. Oil painting technique

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 10

Ustad Mansur’s paintings are often compared to:

A. Folk murals
B. Calligraphic panels
C. Scientific illustrations
D. Temple sculptures

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 11

Which Mughal ruler showed the greatest personal involvement in evaluating paintings?

A. Babur
B. Akbar
C. Jahangir
D. Shah Jahan

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 12

Which animal painting by Ustad Mansur symbolizes Mughal interest in foreign lands?

A. Lion
B. Elephant
C. Zebra
D. Horse

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 13

Ustad Mansur’s approach to art can best be described as:

A. Imaginative exaggeration
B. Religious idealism
C. Decorative symbolism
D. Empirical observation

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 14

Which statement about Ustad Mansur is INCORRECT?

A. He flourished during Jahangir’s reign
B. He painted flora and fauna
C. He received royal titles
D. He specialized in architectural drawings

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 15

Which bird painting by Ustad Mansur is frequently cited in art history exams?

A. Peacock
B. Parrot
C. Sparrow
D. Siberian Crane

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 16

The decline in prominence of artists like Ustad Mansur began after:

A. Babur’s death
B. Akbar’s death
C. Jahangir’s death
D. Aurangzeb’s accession

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 17

Which Jahangir Period Artist was known mainly for imperial portraits?

A. Ustad Mansur
B. Abul Hasan
C. Bishandas
D. Basawan

✅ Answer: B

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MCQ 18

The Mughal painting tradition under Jahangir moved AWAY from:

A. Naturalism
B. Portraiture
C. Narrative epic illustration
D. Observation

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 19

Why is Ustad Mansur considered important in the history of Indian art?

A. He introduced oil painting
B. He painted religious murals
C. He linked art with scientific realism
D. He developed fresco technique

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 20

Which discipline benefits directly from Ustad Mansur’s artworks today?

A. Sociology
B. Economics
C. Zoology and Botany
D. Political Science

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 21

Ustad Mansur’s paintings usually have:

A. Crowded compositions
B. Complex architectural backgrounds
C. Minimal backgrounds focusing on subject
D. Heavy ornamentation

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 22

The Jahangir period is MOST closely associated with which painting quality?

A. Monumentality
B. Spiritual abstraction
C. Refinement and precision
D. Folk symbolism

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 23

Which statement best explains Jahangir’s support of artists like Ustad Mansur?

A. Political propaganda
B. Religious reform
C. Personal interest in nature and art
D. Military documentation

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 24

Which of the following correctly matches artist and specialization?

A. Mansur – Court chronicles
B. Abul Hasan – Nature studies
C. Bishandas – Animal realism
D. Mansur – Flora and fauna

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 25

Ustad Mansur’s contribution is MOST significant in which category?

A. Manuscript illumination
B. Court history illustration
C. Religious iconography
D. Natural history painting

✅ Answer: D

MCQ 26

Which Mughal emperor is most accurately described as a connoisseur-critic of paintings rather than only a patron?

A. Babur
B. Akbar
C. Jahangir
D. Shah Jahan

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 27

The realism in Ustad Mansur’s paintings primarily results from:

A. Decorative abstraction
B. Symbolic exaggeration
C. Direct observation of nature
D. Religious prescription

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 28

Which Mughal painting theme became dominant during Jahangir’s reign?

A. Epic narratives
B. Court battles
C. Portraits and nature studies
D. Temple iconography

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 29

The Dodo painting by Ustad Mansur is historically valuable because it:

A. Shows Mughal trade routes
B. Depicts a mythological bird
C. Documents an extinct species visually
D. Was painted in oil

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 30

Which Mughal artist is best known for combining European naturalism with Indian aesthetics?

A. Basawan
B. Daswanth
C. Ustad Mansur
D. Lal

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 31

Which artistic element in Mansur’s works reflects European influence?

A. Flat perspective
B. Gold ornamentation
C. Light and shadow modeling
D. Calligraphic borders

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 32

Which of the following statements is TRUE about Ustad Mansur?

A. He painted mainly religious manuscripts
B. He worked under Aurangzeb
C. He was praised in Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri
D. He founded a separate school of painting

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 33

Which Mughal institution served as the royal painting workshop?

A. Diwan-i-Aam
B. Ibadat Khana
C. Naubat Khana
D. Kitabkhana

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 34

Ustad Mansur’s animal paintings primarily indicate the Mughal interest in:

A. Mythology
B. Astrology
C. Natural history and global knowledge
D. Folk traditions

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 35

Which painting subject would MOST likely be attributed to Ustad Mansur?

A. Battle of Panipat
B. Court assembly of Akbar
C. Exotic bird with accurate plumage
D. Ramayana episode

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 36

The Mughal painting style during Jahangir’s reign can be described as:

A. Mass-produced
B. Highly decorative
C. Elite, refined, and individualized
D. Primitive and folk-based

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 37

Which aspect of Mansur’s work makes it valuable for modern scholars?

A. Use of gold leaf
B. Persian calligraphy
C. Scientific detail and accuracy
D. Large mural scale

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 38

Which Mughal emperor’s reign saw the highest level of naturalism in painting?

A. Babur
B. Akbar
C. Jahangir
D. Shah Jahan

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 39

Which of the following animals painted by Mansur symbolized Mughal contact with Africa?

A. Lion
B. Tiger
C. Zebra
D. Camel

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 40

Ustad Mansur’s paintings usually avoid:

A. Fine brushwork
B. Accurate proportions
C. Overcrowded compositions
D. Subtle shading

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 41

The phrase “Wonder of the Age” indicates that Mansur was:

A. A royal official
B. A foreign visitor
C. An exceptionally gifted artist
D. A religious scholar

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 42

Which Mughal artist is LEAST associated with nature studies?

A. Ustad Mansur
B. Abul Hasan
C. Mansur
D. Jahangir (as patron)

✅ Answer: B

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MCQ 43

The emphasis on individual artistic identity became prominent during:

A. Babur’s reign
B. Akbar’s reign
C. Jahangir’s reign
D. Aurangzeb’s reign

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 44

Ustad Mansur’s legacy is MOST evident in:

A. Fresco painting traditions
B. Folk mural art
C. Natural history illustration in India
D. Temple sculpture

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 45

Which statement best describes Mansur’s contribution?

A. Decorative manuscript borders
B. Religious iconography
C. Court chronicles
D. Art as visual documentation of nature

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 46

Which Mughal painting feature declined after Jahangir’s death?

A. Manuscript production
B. Naturalistic observation
C. Calligraphy
D. Miniature format

✅ Answer: B

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MCQ 47

Which discipline would MOST benefit from studying Mansur’s bird paintings?

A. Political science
B. Anthropology
C. Ornithology
D. Economics

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 48

Which of the following best defines Ustad Mansur’s artistic philosophy?

A. Decorative excess
B. Religious symbolism
C. Faithful representation of observed reality
D. Dramatic exaggeration

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 49

Why did Jahangir value paintings of rare animals?

A. For religious rituals
B. For military records
C. As symbols of imperial curiosity and power
D. For trade taxation

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 50

Which category BEST places Ustad Mansur within Indian art history?

A. Court historian
B. Religious illustrator
C. Decorative miniaturist
D. Naturalist painter of the Mughal court

✅ Answer: D

Ustad Mansur – Jahangir Period Artist

Exam-Level Tricky MCQs

PART 3: MCQs 51–75

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MCQ 51

Ustad Mansur’s paintings are MOST useful to modern scholars because they:

A. Depict mythological themes
B. Illustrate religious rituals
C. Provide accurate visual documentation of species
D. Contain political symbolism

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 52

Which Mughal emperor’s personal interest directly shaped the subject matter of Ustad Mansur’s works?

A. Babur
B. Akbar
C. Jahangir
D. Shah Jahan

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 53

Which of the following is a correct characteristic of Jahangir-period Mughal painting?

A. Emphasis on abstract geometry
B. Dominance of folk motifs
C. Refined naturalism and realism
D. Exclusive focus on religious narratives

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 54

The Dodo painting by Ustad Mansur is significant mainly because:

A. It uses oil paint
B. It is a court scene
C. It records an animal that later became extinct
D. It shows Persian influence

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 55

Which Mughal art form declined as naturalistic studies increased under Jahangir?

A. Portrait painting
B. Narrative manuscript illustration
C. Nature studies
D. Album painting

✅ Answer: B

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MCQ 56

Which of the following best distinguishes Ustad Mansur from Basawan?

A. Use of bright pigments
B. Manuscript illumination
C. Exclusive focus on flora and fauna
D. Persian calligraphy

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 57

The Mughal atelier where Mansur worked was primarily concerned with:

A. Architecture
B. Sculpture
C. Painting and illustration
D. Music

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 58

Which of the following themes is MOST likely absent from Mansur’s works?

A. Exotic animals
B. Rare birds
C. Botanical studies
D. Religious mythology

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 59

Which Mughal emperor described paintings as objects worthy of careful judgment?

A. Babur
B. Akbar
C. Jahangir
D. Aurangzeb

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 60

The scientific accuracy in Mansur’s paintings suggests an approach based on:

A. Imagination
B. Symbolism
C. Empirical observation
D. Religious texts

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 61

Which foreign artistic influence can be traced in Mansur’s use of realism?

A. Chinese scroll painting
B. Japanese woodblock
C. European engravings
D. Tibetan murals

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 62

Which animal painted by Mansur indicates Mughal contact with distant regions?

A. Cow
B. Elephant
C. Horse
D. Zebra

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 63

Which quality of Mansur’s paintings best supports their classification as “natural history art”?

A. Decorative borders
B. Narrative context
C. Anatomical precision
D. Symbolic color use

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 64

Which Jahangir Period Artist is MOST closely associated with wildlife painting?

A. Abul Hasan
B. Bishandas
C. Manohar
D. Ustad Mansur

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 65

Ustad Mansur’s works often feature minimal backgrounds primarily to:

A. Save time
B. Reduce costs
C. Focus attention on the subject
D. Follow Persian tradition

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 66

Which Mughal emperor’s memoirs serve as an important source for art history?

A. Baburnama
B. Akbarnama
C. Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri
D. Padshahnama

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 67

The title Nadir-ul-Asr suggests that Mansur was considered:

A. A religious authority
B. A political advisor
C. Unmatched in his artistic field
D. A foreign expert

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 68

Which painting by Ustad Mansur is frequently cited in discussions on extinct species?

A. Red-headed Goose
B. Siberian Crane
C. Royal Falcon
D. Dodo Bird

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 69

The Mughal interest in rare animals during Jahangir’s reign reflects:

A. Religious symbolism
B. Agricultural planning
C. Imperial curiosity and global awareness
D. Military strategy

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 70

Which of the following best summarizes Mansur’s artistic approach?

A. Decorative symbolism
B. Mythological storytelling
C. Objective realism based on observation
D. Abstract representation

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 71

Which Mughal ruler’s reign is MOST associated with album paintings?

A. Babur
B. Akbar
C. Jahangir
D. Aurangzeb

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 72

Which artistic trend peaked during Jahangir’s period?

A. Monumental murals
B. Court battle scenes
C. Naturalistic portraiture and studies
D. Temple painting

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 73

Which statement about Ustad Mansur is INCORRECT?

A. He was a Jahangir Period Artist
B. He painted animals and birds
C. He received royal recognition
D. He specialized in epic narratives

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 74

Ustad Mansur’s contribution is most significant for:

A. Developing fresco painting
B. Introducing oil painting
C. Integrating art with scientific study
D. Promoting religious themes

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 75

Which phrase BEST describes the Mughal painting ethos under Jahangir?

A. Decorative grandeur
B. Symbolic abstraction
C. Refined realism and observation
D. Folk simplicity

✅ Answer: C

Ustad Mansur – Jahangir Period Artist

Exam-Level Tricky MCQs

PART 4: MCQs 76–100

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MCQ 76

Which factor most directly enabled Ustad Mansur to specialize in nature studies?

A. Decline of manuscript production
B. Religious reforms
C. Jahangir’s personal fascination with nature
D. Persian artistic traditions

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 77

Which Mughal artistic trend was strengthened due to artists like Ustad Mansur?

A. Abstract symbolism
B. Court propaganda
C. Empirical realism
D. Temple mural painting

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 78

Ustad Mansur’s bird paintings are particularly valued for their:

A. Decorative backgrounds
B. Calligraphic elegance
C. Accuracy of plumage and anatomy
D. Mythological symbolism

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 79

Which Mughal emperor’s court can be described as an early center of natural history illustration?

A. Babur
B. Akbar
C. Jahangir
D. Shah Jahan

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 80

Which of the following best explains the global significance of Mansur’s art?

A. Use of oil paint
B. Persian inscriptions
C. Documentation of rare and extinct species
D. Religious themes

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 81

Which Mughal painting element is consistently minimized in Mansur’s works?

A. Detail
B. Color harmony
C. Narrative complexity
D. Realism

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 82

The Mughal practice of maintaining a kitabkhana primarily supported:

A. Architecture and sculpture
B. Painting and manuscript illustration
C. Music and dance
D. Astronomy

✅ Answer: B

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MCQ 83

Which artistic discipline benefits LEAST from Ustad Mansur’s paintings?

A. Zoology
B. Botany
C. Art history
D. Political science

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 84

Which Mughal painting subject declined as Jahangir emphasized observation-based art?

A. Nature studies
B. Portraiture
C. Album painting
D. Epic storytelling

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 85

Which statement BEST describes Ustad Mansur’s role in Mughal art?

A. Innovator of abstract forms
B. Chronicler of imperial events
C. Pioneer of natural history painting
D. Religious manuscript illustrator

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 86

Which Mughal emperor’s reign marked the peak of artistic individualism?

A. Babur
B. Akbar
C. Jahangir
D. Aurangzeb

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 87

Which of the following animals painted by Mansur suggests Mughal engagement with Africa?

A. Tiger
B. Horse
C. Elephant
D. Zebra

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 88

Which quality allows Mansur’s paintings to be used as scientific references today?

A. Symbolism
B. Decorative motifs
C. Empirical realism
D. Religious context

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 89

Which Jahangir Period Artist focused mainly on portrait painting?

A. Ustad Mansur
B. Abul Hasan
C. Bishandas
D. Manohar

✅ Answer: B

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MCQ 90

The Mughal emphasis on close observation in art reflects influence from:

A. Religious scriptures
B. European Renaissance realism
C. Folk traditions
D. Temple architecture

✅ Answer: B

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MCQ 91

Which statement about Ustad Mansur is MOST accurate?

A. He was a Persian immigrant
B. He founded a new painting school
C. He excelled in painting flora and fauna
D. He worked mainly under Akbar

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 92

Which Mughal cultural interest is reflected in Mansur’s paintings?

A. Astrology
B. Mythology
C. Natural science and exploration
D. Military engineering

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 93

Which Mughal ruler actively judged paintings for quality?

A. Babur
B. Akbar
C. Jahangir
D. Shah Jahan

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 94

Which painting by Ustad Mansur is often cited in biodiversity studies?

A. Royal Falcon
B. Red-headed Goose
C. Siberian Crane
D. Dodo Bird

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 95

The minimal use of background in Mansur’s paintings suggests:

A. Lack of skill
B. Persian influence
C. Focus on the subject’s form
D. Cost-saving technique

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 96

Which Mughal art characteristic was reinforced by Mansur’s works?

A. Decorative abstraction
B. Calligraphic dominance
C. Naturalistic realism
D. Monumentality

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 97

Which statement is INCORRECT regarding Jahangir-period painting?

A. Emphasis on realism
B. Interest in nature studies
C. Individual artistic identity
D. Dominance of religious murals

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 98

Ustad Mansur’s contribution to Indian art is BEST understood as:

A. Decorative miniaturist
B. Court historian
C. Religious illustrator
D. Naturalist painter bridging art and science

✅ Answer: D

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MCQ 99

Which term BEST summarizes Mansur’s painting philosophy?

A. Symbolism
B. Ornamentation
C. Observation-based realism
D. Mythological imagination

✅ Answer: C

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MCQ 100

Ustad Mansur holds a unique position in Indian art history because he:

A. Introduced fresco painting
B. Painted large murals
C. Led architectural projects
D. Created scientifically accurate nature paintings

✅ Answer: D