Mushfiq was a painter who was engaged in his work during the Mughal period that is dated back to the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century. Information about the painter’s early years life is unknown since there is no reliable data regarding his birth, parentage, and activities prior to his appearance at the royal court. It has been established that his work outside the Mughal emperor’s household was never discussed, and his personal life was not registered since he was an ordinary person at that time. This way, no historical records, journals, or manuscripts could be found that might reveal information about his childhood and family life. It is believed that the painter had a great opportunity to develop his skills due to his special relationship with the royal family. Unlike other painters who studied at the royal painting schools, Mushfiq was under the guidance of the imperial master who was highly educated and served Emperor Akbar and Jahangir. His new employer, the Khan-i-Khanan, was a skilled general, and patron of the arts, and a leading scholar who employed Mushfiq at his court. The artist’s talents have been discovered by the ruler, Abd al-Rahim Khan, who supported him throughout his career. In addition, it is worth mentioning that Khan-i-Khanan is a very clever writer and a friend of Mushfiq’s father. With his vast practical knowledge, the master gave the painter a thorough education and contributed to his professional painting skills’ improvement. In conclusion, although Mushfiq’s early years remained a mystery, valuable information about his working conditions and background has been discovered. Being an ordinary painter before he became famous, he was given a chance to be employed at the private house of a rich and influential nobleman. This way, his professional skills have been enhanced, and he had an opportunity to work on his own paintings without being limited by the rules of the palace. However, despite the lack of data regarding his family background and early years, his achievements in the field of painting remained unquestionable.

Read more about them