Kirpal Pal is one of the rulers named in the history of Pahari painting. Who was he?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Ruler of Basohli and patron of the painter Devida
Option (1) Ruler of Jasrota and patron of the painter Nainsukh — Incorrect. This was Raja Balwant Singh. Nainsukh became his court painter and painted many portraits of him.
Option (2) Ruler of Guler and patron of the painter Khushala — Incorrect. This was Prakash Chand, successor of Govardhan Chand. Khushala, Fattu and Gaudhu were artists at his court.
Option (3) Ruler of Kangra and patron of the painter Manaku — Incorrect. This was Raja Sansar Chand. Manaku and his sons took service under him when Prakash Chand ran short of money.
Option (4) Ruler of Basohli and patron of the painter Devida — Correct. Kirpal Pal, an enlightened prince, ruled Basohli from 1678 to 1695. Devida, a tarkhan, painted a magnificent series for him.
NCERT (2026-27): “Basohli School The first and most dramatic example of work from the hill states is from Basohli. From 1678 to 1695, Kirpal Pal, an enlightened prince, ruled the state. Under him, Basohli developed a distinctive and magnificent style. …The most popular theme of Basohli painters was the Rasamanjari of Bhanu Datta. In 1694–95, Devida, a tarkhan (carpenter–painter), did a magnificent series for his patron Kirpal Pal.” |