The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Pahari School of painting refers to the miniature painting tradition that developed in the Himalayan foothills (present-day Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, and Uttarakhand) between the 17th and 19th centuries. It is broadly divided into two stylistic phases: the earlier, bold Basohli style and the later, lyrical Kangra style.
Statement 1 is Correct:
The origins of the Pahari School are traced to Basohli in the late 17th century. The Basohli style is characterized by a "coarsely flamboyant" aesthetic, featuring vigorous use of primary colors, bold lines, and intense emotional appeal. Over time, particularly after the mid-18th century, the style evolved into the Kangra school (including Guler), which is known for its sophistication, delicate lines, naturalism, and lyrical quality, often influenced by the influx of Mughal artists.
Statement 2 is Incorrect:
Scholars emphasize that classifying Pahari paintings strictly based on distinct territorial boundaries is difficult and often misleading. Unlike the Mughal atelier, which was centralized, the hill states were small and politically fluid. Artists frequently migrated between courts (e.g., from Guler to Kangra or Chamba) due to patronage shifts or political instability. Consequently, a specific style was often associated with a family of artists (such as the family of Pandit Seu) rather than a static geographical territory.
Statement 3 is Correct:
Before the development of the refined Guler-Kangra style, the earliest prevailing pictorial language across the hill states is generally identified as the Basohli-like style. This bold, primitive, and expressive style was not limited to Basohli alone but served as the initial common idiom for painting in the region (including Mankot, Nurpur, and Kulu) before the stylistic transformation in the mid-18th century.
Key Takeaway:
The Pahari School evolved from the bold, intense Basohli style to the refined, naturalistic Kangra style. Due to the frequent migration of artist families, the school is defined more by style and lineage than by rigid territorial boundaries.