Natural Sources
Mughal paintings, which flourished during the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th century, were known for their vibrant and rich colors. These colors were predominantly derived from natural sources, which were readily available during that time.

Pigments from Plants and Minerals
Mughal artists utilized a wide range of natural pigments obtained from plants and minerals to create their exquisite paintings. These pigments were extracted from various sources and then carefully processed to obtain the desired colors. Some of the commonly used natural sources for pigments were:

1. Plant Extracts:
- Indigo: Obtained from the leaves of the indigo plant, it was used to create shades of blue.
- Madder: Derived from the roots of the madder plant, it provided red and pink hues.
- Turmeric: Extracted from the rhizomes of the turmeric plant, it was used to create yellow tones.
- Henna: Obtained from the leaves of the henna plant, it gave a natural brown color.

2. Minerals:
- Cinnabar: A bright red pigment obtained from the mineral mercury sulfide.
- Lapis Lazuli: A deep blue pigment derived from the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli.
- Malachite: A green pigment obtained from the mineral malachite.
- Vermilion: Obtained from the mineral cinnabar, it provided a vivid red color.

Other Natural Sources
Apart from plant extracts and minerals, Mughal artists also used other natural sources to enhance their paintings:

1. Gold and Silver:
- Gold: Sheets of gold were used to create a lustrous effect in the paintings.
- Silver: Similar to gold, silver was also used to add a metallic sheen.

2. Shellac and Gum Arabic:
- Shellac: Derived from the secretions of the lac insect, it was used as a binder for the pigments.
- Gum Arabic: Obtained from the sap of the acacia tree, it served as an adhesive and binder.

Advantages of Natural Sources
Using natural sources for colors in Mughal paintings had several advantages:
- The colors obtained from natural sources were vibrant, long-lasting, and had a unique quality that added to the visual appeal of the paintings.
- Natural pigments created a harmonious and organic look, blending seamlessly with the other elements of the artwork.
- These pigments were relatively stable and resistant to fading, ensuring the longevity of the paintings.

In conclusion, Mughal paintings primarily used colors derived from natural sources such as plant extracts, minerals, gold, silver, shellac, and gum arabic. These natural pigments provided a wide range of vibrant colors, contributing to the exquisite beauty and longevity of Mughal artworks.