A surprisingly large proportion of the masterpieces of Indian art was produced for the mysterious sultans of the Deccan, in the plateau region of southern India, during the sixteenth and seventeen centuries. Little research has been done either on the arts they produced. At least three kingdoms, Bijapur, Golconda and Ahmadnagar, patronized outstanding painting, but because of strong cultural links wih the Middle East especially Safavid Iran, Deccani painting has long been confused with Persian, Turkish or Mughal court art. The art of the Deccan, however , achieved its own unique characterm owning as much to the lush sensuality of South Indian art as to Persianate traditions. Dense compositions and intense solours create a lyrical romanticism, alien to bith the sobriety of Mughal art the calligraphic subtleties of Iran.