1600 CE - 1857 CE. The Mughal Empire in India was a period of great cultural and artistic flourishing. During this time, Persian, Islamic, and Hindu traditions merged, creating a rich tapestry of mythology, literature, and art. Mughal rulers were patrons of the arts, and their courts were centers of intellectual and artistic activity.Mythological creatures such as the Makara, a sea creature, and the Garuda, a divine bird, featured prominently in both Hindu and Mughal art, symbolizing power, divinity, and the natural world.