NCERT Class 12 Art & Culture — Chapter 5: The Pahari Schools of Painting

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Which of the following texts was the most popular theme for the painters of the Basohli School?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AGita Govinda
BHamzanama
CRasamanjari
DPadmavat

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is Rasamanjari.

Explanation

Basohli School is the earliest and one of the most distinctive schools of Pahari miniature painting, flourishing in the Himalayan foothills during the 17th and 18th centuries. It is characterized by bold primary colors, vigorous lines, and peculiar facial features such as "lotus-shaped" eyes.

Rasamanjari Rasamanjari: Correct. The Rasamanjari, a 15th-century Sanskrit text on aesthetics and Nayaka-Nayika Bheda (classification of heroes and heroines) written by Bhanudatta, was the most popular and recurring theme for Basohli painters. The earliest dated series of Basohli paintings (circa 1660-1670) illustrates this text. A famous set was executed by the artist Devidas in 1694-95 under the patronage of Raja Kirpal Pal.
Gita Govinda Gita Govinda: Incorrect. While the Gita Govinda by Jayadeva was illustrated in the Basohli style (notably the 1730 series by the artist Manaku), it is not considered the primary or defining theme of the school in the same capacity as the Rasamanjari. The Gita Govinda became the central theme for the later Kangra School.
Hamzanama Hamzanama: Incorrect. The Hamzanama is a seminal work of the Mughal School of painting, commissioned by Emperor Akbar. It depicts the adventures of Amir Hamza and is unrelated to the Pahari tradition.
Padmavat Padmavat: Incorrect. The Padmavat is an epic poem by Malik Muhammad Jayasi. While illustrated in various manuscript traditions (such as Rajput or Sultanate styles), it was not a dominant theme in the Basohli repertoire.

Key Takeaway: The Rasamanjari by Bhanudatta is the signature theme of the Basohli School, distinguishing it from the Kangra School, which focused heavily on the Gita Govinda and Bhagavata Purana.

Your note

More from Chapter 5: The Pahari Schools of Painting

Which of the following pairs of Pahari artists and their patrons is correctly matched? 1. Devida : Kirpal Pal 2. Nainsukh : Balwant Singh 3. Manaku : Sansar Chand (later service) Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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With reference to the origins of the Pahari Schools of Painting, consider the following statements: 1. The Pahari style began at Basohli with a coarsely flamboyant style and matured into the sophisticated Kangra style. 2. Unlike Rajasthani and Mughal schools, Pahari paintings are easily classified based on distinct territorial boundaries. 3. The earliest prevailing pictorial language in the hills is generally understood to be the Basohli-like style. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Which of the following factors is considered by art historians to be chiefly responsible for the shaping of the Pahari style of painting?

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Consider the following statements regarding the Basohli School of painting: 1. It flourished under the patronage of Raja Sansar Chand in the late 19th century. 2. A distinctive feature is the use of small, shiny green particles of beetle wings to simulate emeralds in jewellery. 3. The style is characterized by the use of strong primary colours and warm yellows. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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With reference to the 'Shangri Ramayana', consider the following statements: 1. It is named after a place of residence of a branch of the Kullu royal family. 2. The paintings in this set show a complete absence of any stylistic influence from the Basohli school. 3. It was painted exclusively by the artist Nainsukh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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The correct option is Rasamanjari.

Explanation

Rasamanjari Rasamanjari: Correct. The Rasamanjari, a 15th-century Sanskrit text on aesthetics and Nayaka-Nayika Bheda (classification of heroes and heroines) written by Bhanudatta, was the most popular and recurring theme for Basohli painters. The earliest dated series of Basohli paintings (circa 1660-1670) illustrates this text. A famous set was executed by the artist Devidas in 1694-95 under the patronage of Raja Kirpal Pal.
Gita Govinda Gita Govinda: Incorrect. While the Gita Govinda by Jayadeva was illustrated in the Basohli style (notably the 1730 series by the artist Manaku), it is not considered the primary or defining theme of the school in the same capacity as the Rasamanjari. The Gita Govinda became the central theme for the later Kangra School.
Hamzanama Hamzanama: Incorrect. The Hamzanama is a seminal work of the Mughal School of painting, commissioned by Emperor Akbar. It depicts the adventures of Amir Hamza and is unrelated to the Pahari tradition.
Padmavat Padmavat: Incorrect. The Padmavat is an epic poem by Malik Muhammad Jayasi. While illustrated in various manuscript traditions (such as Rajput or Sultanate styles), it was not a dominant theme in the Basohli repertoire.