Which of the following towns is NOT named as a centre of the Pahari Schools of Painting?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Shimla
Option (1) Bilaspur — Named as a Pahari centre. Bilaspur is listed with Basohli, Guler and Kangra. Its style also influenced the Kullu artists.
Option (2) Shimla — Not named as a Pahari centre. Shimla is a hill town, but it is not among the centres of painting listed.
Option (3) Nurpur — Named as a Pahari centre. Nurpur is listed, and the style spread there from Basohli.
Option (4) Mandi — Named as a Pahari centre. Mandi is listed, and the style spread there from Basohli too.
NCERT (2026-27): “The Pahari Schools of Painting Pahari denotes ‘hilly or mountainous’ in origin. Pahari Schools of Painting includes towns, such as Basohli, Guler, Kangra, Kullu, Chamba, Mankot, Nurpur, Mandi, Bilaspur, Jammu and others in the hills of western Himalayas, which emerged as centres of painting from seventeenth to nineteenth century. Beginning at Basohli with a coarsely flamboyant style, it blossomed into the most exquisite and sophisticated style of Indian painting known as the Kangra School, through the Guler or pre-Kangra phase.” |