Which themes became personal favourites of the rulers of Kishangarh during the reign of Raj Singh (1706–1748)?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Krishna Lila themes
Option (1) Court portraits and documentary scenes — Incorrect. Documentary painting through portraiture and court life started in Jodhpur under Jaswant Singh, not in Kishangarh.
Option (2) Krishna Lila themes — Correct. Raj Singh was initiated into the Pushtimargiya cult of Vallabhacharya. After this, Krishna Lila themes became the personal favourites of the Kishangarh rulers.
Option (3) Ragamala and Baramasa themes — Incorrect. Jaipur artists painted Ragamala and Baramasa sets. These are not the themes tied to Raj Singh’s initiation.
Option (4) Scenes with the Nath gurus — Incorrect. Paintings with the Nath gurus belong to Man Singh of Jodhpur, a follower of the Nath Sampradaya.
NCERT (2026-27): “Kishangarh School of Painting …A distinctive style of the state with a general tendency to elongate the human form, making lavish use of green and penchant for depicting panoramic landscapes had evolved by the early eighteenth century during the reign of Raj Singh (1706–1748). With Raj Singh getting initiated into the Pushtimargiya cult of Vallabhacharya, Krishna Lila themes became personal favourites for the rulers of Kishangarh and represented a major portion of their court art.” |