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Which artists were known for Mughal paintings during the reigns of Akbar and Jahangir?

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Mughal emperors Jahangir, Akbar, and Shah Jahan — Mughal dynasty Emperors (from left, seated) Jahangir, Akbar, and Shah Jahan are depicted with their ministers (foreground) and Prince Dara Shikoh in a watercolor from India, c. 1630–40.

During the reigns of the Mughal emperors Akbar and Jahangir, the imperial atelier fostered a highly skilled group of artists who defined the era's distinctive painting style.

Artists of the Akbar Period

Under Akbar, the court focused on large-scale manuscript illustrations, initially led by Persian masters Mir Sayyid Ali and Khwaja Abdus-Samad. Other notable painters included:1
* Dasvant: Renowned for his work on the Razmnama (“Book of War”).21
* Basavan: Celebrated for his contributions to the Tarikh-i Khandan-i Timuriyya.21

Artists of the Jahangir Period

Jahangir shifted the focus toward refined portraiture and natural history studies. His leading court artists included:34
* Abu al-Hasan: Titled Nadir al-Zaman (“Wonder of the Age”) by the emperor.234
* Bishandas: Highly regarded for his penetrating and unique portraiture.234
* Ustad Mansur: Famous for his precise studies of flora and fauna, earning the title Nadir al-Asr (“Wonder of the Time”).234
* Other significant painters of this reign included Manohar (son of Basavan), Govardhan, and Daulat.4