Painting activity in the Kangra School was severely affected around 1805, when the Gurkhas besieged the Kangra fort. Where did Raja Sansar Chand have to flee during this siege?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Tira Sujanpur
Option (1) Nadaun — Incorrect. The most matured Kangra paintings were painted at Nadaun, where Sansar Chand shifted later in his life. It is not where he fled in the siege.
Option (2) Garhwal — Incorrect. Garhwal lay in the east, where the Kangra style spread from Tira Sujanpur. It was not Sansar Chand’s refuge.
Option (3) Alampur — Incorrect. Alampur shows an earlier phase of Kangra kalam paintings. It is not named as his refuge.
Option (4) Tira Sujanpur — Correct. Sansar Chand had to flee to his hill palace at Tira Sujanpur when the Gurkhas besieged the Kangra fort.
NCERT (2026-27): “Kangra School …An earlier phase of Kangra kalam paintings is witnessed in Alampur and the most matured paintings were painted at Nadaun, where Sansar Chand shifted later in his life. …The Kangra style soon spread from Tira Sujanpur to Garhwal in the east and Kashmir in the west. Painting activity was severely affected around 1805 when the Gurkhas besieged the Kangra fort and Sansar Chand had to flee to his hill palace at Tira Sujanpur.” |