The Confluence of Cultures: The Influence of Persian and Mughal Traditions on Indian Art and Literature

Abstract

This paper examines the profound and enduring influence of Persian and Mughal cultural traditions on the development of Indian art and literature from the medieval period through the early modern era. Through analysis of key artistic and literary works, this study traces how Persian aesthetic sensibilities, literary forms, and artistic techniques were introduced, adapted, and synthesized with indigenous Indian traditions during the Mughal period (1526-1857), creating new hybridized cultural expressions. The research demonstrates that this cross-cultural exchange was not merely a unidirectional imposition but rather a complex process of cultural negotiation that resulted in distinctive Indo-Persian artistic and literary traditions. The findings highlight the significance of these cultural intersections in shaping India's artistic heritage and literary canon, while also illuminating broader patterns of cultural adaptation and synthesis that continue to resonate in contemporary South Asian cultural production