Among the Pahari centres that grew from the Basohli style, the rulers of one state were ardent worshippers of Vishnu and Shiva, so Shaivite subjects were painted there besides the Krishna Lila themes. Which state was it?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Mandi
Option (1) Chamba — Incorrect. Chamba is known for portraits of its rulers in the Basohli style in the seventeenth and early eighteenth century.
Option (2) Mandi — Correct. The rulers of Mandi worshipped Vishnu and Shiva. So Shaivite subjects were painted there along with Krishna Lila themes.
Option (3) Nurpur — Incorrect. Nurpur artists kept the vibrant colours of Basohli with the dainty figure types of Kangra.
Option (4) Kullu — Incorrect. Kullu is known for figures with a prominent chin and wide open eyes, and grey and terracotta red backgrounds.
Note: This topic was not named in the CUET 2026 syllabus, but it was part of the NCERT chapter. In 2025 and 2026, NTA also asked questions on topics in NCERT that the CUET syllabus did not name. So our mocks have questions from every part of the NCERT chapter, to give you enough practice. Read the whole chapter, not only the sub-topics named in the syllabus.
NCERT (2026-27): “Kangra School …Rulers of Mandi were ardent worshippers of Vishnu and Shiva. Hence, apart from the Krishna Lila themes, Shaivite subjects were also painted. An artist named Molaram is associated with the Garhwal School. Several signed paintings by him have been discovered. This school was influenced by the Kangra style of Sansar Chand phase.” |