Scholars have proposed theories on how the Pahari School emerged. Whi…

Scholars have proposed theories on how the Pahari School emerged. Which of the following statements is widely accepted?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → Mughal and Rajasthani styles were known in the hills, probably through examples of Provincial Mughal style.

Option (1) Deccani and Rajasthani styles were known in the hills, probably through family ties of hill Rajas with Deccani courts. — Incorrect. The styles known in the hills were Mughal and Rajasthani, and the family ties were with the royal courts of Rajasthan, not Deccani courts.
Option (2) Mughal and Rajasthani styles were known in the hills, probably through the migration of artists from the Mughal atelier. — Incorrect. Most scholars now dispute the earlier idea that artists migrating from the Mughal atelier caused the change in Pahari painting.
Option (3) Mughal and Rajasthani styles were known in the hills, probably through examples of Provincial Mughal style. — Correct. It is widely accepted that Mughal and Rajasthani styles reached the hills, probably through examples of Provincial Mughal style.
Option (4) Mughal and Deccani styles were known in the hills, probably through examples of Provincial Mughal style. — Incorrect. The route is right, but the styles were Mughal and Rajasthani. Deccani styles are not named here.

NCERT (2026-27): “The Pahari Schools of Painting …The emergence of the Pahari School remains unclear, though scholars have cautiously proposed theories concerning its beginning and influences. It is widely accepted that Mughal and Rajasthani styles of paintings were known in the hills probably through examples of Provincial Mughal style and family relationships of hill Rajas with the royal courts of Rajasthan.…”

“The Pahari Schools of Painting …Most scholars, now, dispute the earlier hypothesis that the sudden change was caused and initiated by the migration of artists from the Mughal atelier.…”

Scholars have proposed theories on how the Pahari School emerged. Which of the following statements is widely accepted?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → Mughal and Rajasthani styles were known in the hills, probably through examples of Provincial Mughal style.

Option (1) Deccani and Rajasthani styles were known in the hills, probably through family ties of hill Rajas with Deccani courts. — Incorrect. The styles known in the hills were Mughal and Rajasthani, and the family ties were with the royal courts of Rajasthan, not Deccani courts.
Option (2) Mughal and Rajasthani styles were known in the hills, probably through the migration of artists from the Mughal atelier. — Incorrect. Most scholars now dispute the earlier idea that artists migrating from the Mughal atelier caused the change in Pahari painting.
Option (3) Mughal and Rajasthani styles were known in the hills, probably through examples of Provincial Mughal style. — Correct. It is widely accepted that Mughal and Rajasthani styles reached the hills, probably through examples of Provincial Mughal style.
Option (4) Mughal and Deccani styles were known in the hills, probably through examples of Provincial Mughal style. — Incorrect. The route is right, but the styles were Mughal and Rajasthani. Deccani styles are not named here.

“The Pahari Schools of Painting …Most scholars, now, dispute the earlier hypothesis that the sudden change was caused and initiated by the migration of artists from the Mughal atelier.…”