Wikipedia

Basharat Ullah

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
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    Painting of Kashmiri Pandits petitioning Guru Tegh Bahadur for help against persecution of Hindus in Kashmir by the Mughal Empire, circa 19th century
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    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
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    Painting of Sikhs in battle
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    Maharajah Narinder Singh of Patiala on an elephant proceeding up the rampart of a palace
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    Guru Tegh Bahadar and a young Gobind Rai at the Anandpur Darbar
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    Guru Tegh Bahadar receives news of the birth of Gobind Rai
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    Painting of Maharaja Narinder Singh of Patiala State in procession, ca.1850
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    Painting of Mughal emperor Akbar meeting Guru Amar Das in 1567 at Goindwal
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    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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