[note 1][3][4][5] Basharat's family were originally from Lahore but were also based in Delhi and later Patiala, where they remained for over a hundred and fifty years.
[note 2][8][9] His father Allah Ditta moved to Patiala to work as a court-painter after studying the art of miniature painting under Mirza Shah Rukh Beg in Delhi.
[6] He painted Sikh themes and was heavily influenced by the Pahari school of art, such as the Kangra style.
[3][10][6] Basharat Ullah's son was Haji Muhammad Sharif, who also became an artist.
[13] Basharat had his son trained by Muhammad Hasan Khan of Delhi.