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The Pahari Schools of Painting — Syllabus

CBSE · Class 12 · Fine Arts

What The Pahari Schools of Painting covers in CBSE Class 12 Fine Arts: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session. Part of the CBSE Class 12 Fine Arts syllabus.

69 questions84 flashcards5 concepts

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A geographical map highlighting the locations of various Pahari painting centers in the Western Himalayas, including Basohli, Guler, Kangra, Kullu, Chamba, Mankot, Nurpur, Mandi, Bilaspur, and Jammu.
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4 Topics · CBSE Class 12 Fine Arts · 2026-27

Topics in The Pahari Schools of Painting

1

Origin and Broad Features

  • Pahari painting centres emerged in the western Himalayan hill states from the seventeenth to nineteenth century.
  • Basohli, Guler, Kangra, Kullu, Chamba, Mankot, Nurpur, Mandi, Bilaspur and Jammu are important centres associated with Pahari painting.
  • These centres show individual features, but they do not develop as independent schools with distinctive styles.
2

Basohli School

  • Basohli developed a distinctive and magnificent style under Kirpal Pal, who ruled from 1678 to 1695.
  • The style is marked by strong primary colours, warm yellows in the background and horizon, stylised vegetation, and raised white paint for pearls in ornaments.
  • Its most significant characteristic is the use of small shiny green beetle wings to delineate jewellery and simulate the effect of emeralds.
3

Guler or Pre-Kangra Phase

  • The first quarter of the eighteenth century saw a complete transformation in the Basohli style, initiating the Guler-Kangra phase.
  • This phase first appeared in Guler under the patronage of Raja Govardhan Chand, who ruled from 1744 to 1773.
  • Pandit Seu, with his sons Manak and Nainsukh, changed the course of painting around 1730–40.
4

Kangra School

  • Painting in the Kangra region blossomed under Raja Sansar Chand, who ruled from 1775 to 1823.
  • Sansar Chand ascended the throne at age 10.
  • His grandfather Ghamand Chand restored the kingdom to its earlier glory, founded the capital town of Tira Sujanpur on the banks of the river Beas, and maintained an atelier of artists.

Key Concepts

Central concept: Pahari painting as a hilly Indian miniature tradition that developed through Basohli, Guler, and Kangra phases

Meaning of PahariPahari centresBroad classificationBasohli styleGuler or pre-Kangra phaseKangra stylePatronagePandit Seu family

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in The Pahari Schools of Painting for CBSE Class 12 Fine Arts?
Key topics in The Pahari Schools of Painting include Origin and Broad Features, Basohli School, Guler or Pre-Kangra Phase, Kangra School. Study these first, then practise questions on each for the CBSE Class 12 board exam.
How should I revise The Pahari Schools of Painting for the CBSE Class 12 board exam?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 69 practice questions on The Pahari Schools of Painting. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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