Tappa style of music was refined and developed in which of the following Mughal Emperor's Court?

Question

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Correct — D, Muhammad Shah. Tappa is a semi-classical Hindustani vocal form that grew out of the folk songs of the camel-riders of Punjab and was refined into court music in the reign of the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah 'Rangila' (r. 1719-1748), whose court was a great centre of Hindustani music. It was later carried forward and popularised by Mian Ghulam Nabi Shori ('Shori Miyan') under the Nawab of Awadh. Tappa is known for its fast, subtle, 'knotty' ornamentation (rapid taans/zamzama).

Why the other options are wrong — (a) Jahangir's court is celebrated for the zenith of Mughal miniature painting, not for the refinement of Tappa music.  (b) Akbar's court is famed for Tansen and the Dhrupad tradition; Tappa is a later development associated with Muhammad Shah's era, not Akbar's.  (c) Shah Jahan is remembered mainly as a patron of architecture (the Taj Mahal); the Tappa form is not linked to his court.

Concept: Tappa is one of the semi-classical genres of Hindustani (North Indian) vocal music, alongside Thumri and Dadra. It is distinguished by its rapid, intricate melodic runs. Its roots lie in the folk songs of camel-drivers of the north-west, and it was 'classicised' in the 18th century — first taking shape in Muhammad Shah's court and later refined by Ghulam Nabi Shori.

State PCS 2023 Q42 — Art & Culture PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2023 Q42 — Art & Culture PYQ with Answer