In Basohli painting, what were the small, shiny particles of beetle wings used for?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → To delineate jewellery and simulate the effect of emeralds
Option (1) To imitate the representation of pearls in ornaments — Incorrect. Pearls in ornaments were imitated with raised white paint, not with beetle wings.
Option (2) To delineate jewellery and simulate the effect of emeralds — Correct. The shiny green particles of beetle wings marked out jewellery and gave the effect of emeralds.
Option (3) To fill the background and horizon with colour — Incorrect. The background and horizon were filled with warm yellows, not with beetle wings.
Option (4) To give a stylised treatment to vegetation — Incorrect. Stylised treatment of vegetation is a separate Basohli feature, listed beside the warm yellows and raised white paint. Beetle wings were used for jewellery.
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. It is characterised by a strong use of primary colours and warm yellows — filling the background and horizon, stylised treatment of vegetation and raised white paint for imitating the representation of pearls in ornaments. However, the most significant characteristic of Basohli painting is the use of small, shiny green particles of beetle wings to delineate jewellery and simulate the effect of emeralds.” |