The well-known painting “BaniThani” belongs to the
- Bundi school
- Jaipur school
- Kangra school
- Kishangarh school
Explanation
Option (d) is correct
- The famous Bani Thani painting by Nihal Chand was inspired by Sawant Singh’s poem, Bihari Jas Chandrika, and represents the Kishangarh School style. The distinctive, sharp facial features of Bani Thani influenced the exaggerated facial types that became a hallmark of the Kishangarh School.
Image Source: Ncert
Option (a) is incorrect
- A distinctive school of painting flourished in Bundi during the 17th century, noted for its refined colour sense and elegant designs. The Bundi Ragamala (1591), associated with the reign of Bhoj Singh (1585–1607) and created at Chunar, represents the early phase of this style. The Bundi school reached its peak under the patronage of Rao Chattar Sal (1631–1659) and his son Rao Bhao Singh (1659–1682), during whose reign numerous portraits were commissioned. In the 18th century, Bundi paintings absorbed Deccani influences, reflected in the growing use of vibrant colours.
- The Bundi and Kota schools became particularly known for their depiction of lush landscapes, varied flora, wildlife, and equestrian portraits, while their elephant drawings were highly admired for their artistic excellence. The Bundi style also developed distinct standards of feminine beauty, portraying petite women with round faces, sharp noses, full cheeks, and slender waists. Early Bundi artists such as Shaykh Hasan, Shaykh Ali, and Shaykh Hatim were pupils of Mir Sayyid Ali and Khwaja Abdus Samad from the Mughal court.
Option (b) is incorrect
- The Jaipur School of painting originated in Amer, the former capital of the Kachhwaha rulers. When Sawai Jai Singh (1699–1743) shifted the capital from Amer to Jaipur in 1727, it led to the emergence of the Jaipur School as a distinct and independent artistic tradition. Jai Singh invited Mughal painters and skilled artisans from Delhi to join his atelier and reorganized the Suratkhana (royal painting workshop). Influenced by his deep inclination toward Vaishnavism, he commissioned numerous paintings depicting themes of Radha and Krishna.
- During this period, illustrated sets of Rasikapriya, Gita Govinda, Baramasa, and Ragamala were produced, often portraying the hero with features resembling the ruling king. Portrait painting also gained prominence, with artists such as Sahibram and Muhammad Shah emerging as notable painters. By the early 19th century, Jaipur paintings displayed an increased use of gold, and life-size portraits became a distinctive feature of the Jaipur School.
Option (d) is incorrect
- The Pahari Schools of painting developed between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries across various hill towns of the western Himalayas, including Basohli, Guler, Kangra, Kullu, Chamba, Mankot, Nurpur, Mandi, Bilaspur, and Jammu, which emerged as important artistic centres. Following the decline of the Mughal Empire, many artists trained in the Mughal style migrated to the Kangra region, where they received patronage from Raja Govardhan Singh in 1774. This migration contributed to the emergence of the Guler–Kangra School of painting, which initially evolved in Guler and later flourished in Kangra.
- The school reached its peak under the patronage of Raja Sansar Chand, whose paintings were noted for their refinement, sensuality, and emotional depth. Popular themes included the Gita Govinda, Bhagavata Purana, Satsai of Bihari Lal, and Nal-Damayanti, with scenes depicting the love of Krishna being particularly prominent. These paintings often conveyed an otherworldly and lyrical quality. Another notable theme was the depiction of the “Twelve Months” (Baramasa), illustrating the changing emotions of human beings across seasons. The Kangra school later became the parent tradition for other ateliers that developed in regions such as Kullu, Chamba, and Mandi.
