Mughal rule in India was known for rich contribution to arts, crafts, and literature. Mughal emperors were great patrons of art and used to have ateliers and carpet weaving workshops to produce the best works of art and carpentry. Babur was the first Mughal Emperor (1526-30). Ten years after his death, his son Humayun who succeeded him to the throne was forced into exile in Persia.
On his return to India in the year 1549, Humayun brought with him a deep love of Persian art and patronized Persian court painters. One of the painters Mir Sayyid Ali, who was given the title of Nazir-ul-Mulk (The Wonder of his monarchy) painted a huge 12-volume book called Dastan-e-Amir Hamza, which had paintings. It was one of the masterpieces of Islamic art that would provide the standard for other carpet weavers in the years to come.
It was under Humayun's son, Akbar (1556-1606) – the Great Mughal Emperor – that the Mughal Empire consolidated its power. He established workshops for the manufacture of rugs and carpets in India between the years 1569-84.
Abu'l Fazl (1551-1602), his Chief Minister, gives an account of the carpet industry in India, in his book Ain-e-Akbari, which was the official history of the rule of Emperor Akbar.
He writes: “He has caused carpets to be made of wonderful varieties and charming texture; he has appointed experienced workmen, who have produced many masterpieces…All kinds of carpet weavers have settled here, and drive a flourishing trade. These carpets are found in every room, but especially in Agra, Fathepur Sikri, and Lahore.”
Although, the majority of the Mughal carpets that have survived today, have a formal, and yet a floral design, there is a small group of carpets with animals weaved into them, which belong to early 17th century. Different in style, but, of the same period, is a group of floral carpets, which are designed after the likes of the carpets from Herat. The second group of carpets has its origin in Lahore. The most unique carpet was the carpet sent to Ardabil Shrine as a gift from Emperor Shah Jahan. All the carpets of Indian design were designed in a distinct fashion, but were heavily improvised after the style of the Persian carpets.
The fourth group of Indian floral carpets are the prayer rugs or what is popularly known as jainamaz, with large flowers weaved into it. They all have an arch or the Mihrab (Prayer Niche for the Imam) that is found in the mosques. Despite its small size, these prayer carpets were rich in design, of great splendour and finely knotted by the expert carpet weavers of India.
