Basharat Ullah
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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][4][5][6]
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.[7][8][9] Basharat Ullah was the son of Allah Ditta, another artist.[note 2][10][11] 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.[8]
In 1825, Basharat was based out of Lahore of the Sikh Empire.[12][7] Due to his family background, he was knowledgeable in Mughal miniature styles.[7] He painted Sikh themes and was heavily influenced by the Pahari school of art, such as the Kangra style.[12][7][13] He was the disciple of Shiva Ram of Patiala and also Purkhu of Kangra.[4][12][7]
Basharat Ullah's son was Haji Muhammad Sharif, who also became an artist.[7][14] Basharat initially wanted his son to become a watchmaker instead of an artist.[15] Basharat had his son trained by Muhammad Hasan Khan of Delhi.[8] Muhammad Sharif would also be employed by the Patiala Durbar until 1944.[8]
