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

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][8] Basharat Ullah was the son of Allah Ditta, another artist.^{[note 2][9][10]} 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.^[11][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.^[11][6][12] He was the disciple of Shiva Ram of Patiala and also Purkhu of Kangra.^[3][11][6]

Basharat Ullah's son was Haji Muhammad Sharif, who also became an artist.^[6][13] Basharat initially wanted his son to become a watchmaker instead of an artist.^[14] 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

Some of his inscribed works have survived till the present.^[13][15] Some of Basharat's works are preserved in the Toor Collection.^[16]

Gallery

• 
  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
• 
  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
• 
  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 receives news of the birth of Gobind Rai
• 
  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
• 
  Bhai Sukha and Bhai Mehtab Singh confront Massa Ranghar

Notes

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