Pahari painters Manaku and Nainsukh had patrons at Guler and Jasrota. Consider the following statements:
(A) In Balwant Singh looking at a Painting with Nainsukh, Balwant Singh closely observes a painting held in his hands.
(B) Bishan Singh died before his father Dalip Singh, so his elder brother Govardhan Chand took the Guler throne.
(C) Nainsukh is believed to have initially worked for Mian Zoravar Singh, the father of Balwant Singh.
(D) The reign of Govardhan Chand at Guler witnessed a change in painting style.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Three
(A) In Balwant Singh looking at a Painting with Nainsukh, Balwant Singh closely observes a painting held in his hands. — Correct. The painting shows Prince Balwant Singh of Jasrota closely observing a painting held in his hands. The bowing figure behind him is probably Nainsukh.
(B) Bishan Singh died before his father Dalip Singh, so his elder brother Govardhan Chand took the Guler throne. — Incorrect. Govardhan Chand was Bishan Singh’s younger brother, not his elder brother. He came to the throne because Bishan Singh died before Dalip Singh.
(C) Nainsukh is believed to have initially worked for Mian Zoravar Singh, the father of Balwant Singh. — Correct. Nainsukh moved from Guler to Jasrota and first worked for Mian Zoravar Singh. Zoravar Singh’s son and successor, Balwant Singh, became his greatest patron.
(D) The reign of Govardhan Chand at Guler witnessed a change in painting style. — Correct. Govardhan Chand’s rule witnessed a change in painting style at Guler.
NCERT (2026-27): “Guler School …There is evidence that artists were working in Haripur–Guler ever since the reign of Dalip Singh (1695–1743) as many of his and his son Bishan Singh’s portraits, dating back to earlier than 1730s, i.e., before the beginning of the Guler–Kangra phase can be found. Bishan Singh died during the lifetime of his father Dalip Singh. So, his younger brother Govardhan Chand ascended to the throne that witnessed a change in painting style.” “Guler School …Nainsukh appears to have left his hometown in Guler and moved to Jasrota. He is believed to have initially worked for Mian Zoravar Singh, whose son and successor Balwant Singh of Jasrota was to become his greatest patron.” “Balwant Singh looking at a Painting with Nainsukh The painting depicts Prince Balwant Singh of Jasrota closely observing a painting that he is holding in his hands. A figure standing behind him politely bowing down probably represents none other than the artist of the painting, Nainsukh.” |