What town is associated with the pre-Kangra phase in the evolution of Pahari Schools of Painting?

Guler

Answer:  Guler
The pre-Kangra phase in the evolution of Pahari Schools of Painting is associated with the town of Guler.

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.