NCERT Class 12 Fine Art An Introduction to Indian Art Part-II: Chapter 5 — The Pahari Schools of Painting 5
This chapter introduces the Pahari Schools of Painting, which flourished in the western Himalayan hills from the 17th to 19th centuries. The term 'Pahari' signifies 'hilly or mountainous'. Key centers included Basohli, Guler, and Kangra. While each center developed individual characteristics, classifying them into distinct schools is challenging due to limited dated materials and inscriptions. The chapter discusses theories on the emergence of Pahari painting, suggesting influences from Mughal and Rajasthani styles. It highlights the Basohli style as an early, flamboyant idiom that evolved into the refined Kangra School. Scholar B. N. Goswamy's theory emphasizes the role of artist families, particularly the family of Pandit Seu, in shaping the Pahari style, arguing that regional classification can be misleading. The transformation from the Basohli idiom to the Kangra style in the mid-18th century is attributed to the impact of new paintings, possibly from the Mughal atelier, and the naturalism that appealed to local artists. This emerging style featured decorated margins, themes of royal life, and idealized female forms.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Fine Art |
| Book | An Introduction to Indian Art Part-II |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 — The Pahari Schools of Painting 5 |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 614 |
Learning outcomes
- Identify the geographical region and historical period of Pahari painting.
- Understand the influences of Mughal and Rajasthani art on Pahari schools.
- Differentiate between the early Basohli style and the later Kangra style.
- Recognize the significance of artist families in the development of Pahari painting.
- Appreciate the themes and stylistic features of Pahari paintings.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pahari | Hilly or mountainous in origin. |
| Basohli | An early center of Pahari painting known for its flamboyant style. |
| Guler | A pre-Kangra phase center known for its influence on the Kangra School. |
| Kangra School | A sophisticated and exquisite style of Indian painting that evolved from the Pahari tradition. |
| Mughal style | Artistic style originating from the Mughal Empire, influencing Pahari painting. |
| Rajasthani Schools | Painting styles from the Rajput states of Rajasthan, which influenced Pahari art. |
| Colophons | An inscription at the end of a manuscript or book containing information about its production. |
| Inscriptions | Written texts, often found on artifacts, providing historical or contextual information. |
| Provincial Mughal style | A regional variation of the Mughal painting style. |
| Pandit Seu (Shiv) | A key artist family credited with shaping the Pahari style. |
| Poetic lyricism | Expressiveness characterized by emotional depth and musicality in art. |
| Naturalism | A style and theory which approximates the natural world as closely as possible. |
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Practice questions
- What does the term 'Pahari' denote? Answer: 'Pahari' denotes 'hilly or mountainous' in origin.
- Name some towns that emerged as centers of Pahari painting. Answer: Some towns that emerged as centers of Pahari painting include Basohli, Guler, Kangra, Kullu, Chamba, and Jammu.
- What are the challenges in classifying Pahari paintings into distinct territorial schools? Answer: Challenges include a paucity of dated material, colophons, and inscriptions, and the fact that individualistic characteristics do not always develop into independent schools with distinctive styles.
- According to B. N. Goswamy, what was chiefly responsible for the course of Pahari paintings? Answer: According to B. N. Goswamy, the family of Pandit Seu (Shiv) was chiefly responsible for the course of Pahari paintings.
- What is considered the earliest prevailing pictorial language in Pahari painting? Answer: The flamboyantly bold Basohli-like style is generally understood to be the earliest prevailing pictorial language.
Practice MCQs
Q1. The term 'Pahari' in the context of painting refers to:
Explanation: Pahari denotes 'hilly or mountainous' in origin, referring to the geographical location where these paintings flourished.
Q2. Which of the following is NOT typically mentioned as a center of Pahari painting?
Explanation: Jaipur is a major center of Rajasthani painting, not Pahari painting. Basohli, Kangra, and Guler are key Pahari centers.
Q3. The Basohli style is generally understood to be:
Explanation: The flamboyantly bold Basohli-like style is generally understood to be the earliest prevailing pictorial language in Pahari painting.
Q4. Scholar B. N. Goswamy proposed that the development of Pahari style was primarily shaped by:
Explanation: B. N. Goswamy argued that the family of Pandit Seu (Shiv) was chiefly responsible for the course of Pahari paintings, emphasizing family as the basis of style.
Q5. The transformation from the Basohli idiom to the Kangra style occurred around:
Explanation: The chapter states that from the middle of the eighteenth century, the style transformed through a pre-Kangra phase, maturing into the Kangra style.
Q6. What aspect of new paintings, possibly from the Mughal style, appealed to Pahari artists?
Explanation: For Goswamy, it was the naturalism in these paintings that appealed to the sensibilities of Pahari artists, influencing their painting language.
Frequently asked questions
What does the term 'Pahari' mean in the context of painting?
'Pahari' means 'hilly or mountainous' in origin, referring to the region where these schools of painting flourished in the western Himalayas.
Which century saw the emergence of Pahari Schools of Painting?
Pahari Schools of Painting emerged as centers of painting from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century.
What were the main influences on the Pahari Schools of Painting?
The main influences were the Mughal and Rajasthani styles of paintings, possibly introduced through examples of Provincial Mughal style and family relationships.
What is the significance of the Basohli style in Pahari painting?
The Basohli style is generally understood to be the earliest prevailing pictorial language, characterized by a flamboyantly bold style, which later blossomed into more sophisticated styles.
Who is B. N. Goswamy and what is his contribution to understanding Pahari painting?
B. N. Goswamy is a significant scholar who proposed that the family of artists, particularly Pandit Seu's family, was chiefly responsible for shaping the Pahari style, arguing against purely regional classification.
How did the Pahari style evolve into the Kangra style?
The style transformed from the Basohli idiom through a pre-Kangra phase, maturing into the Kangra style by the mid-18th century, influenced by new paintings and their naturalism.
What are some common themes found in Pahari paintings?
Themes include recording the daily routine or important occasions from the lives of kings, and the creation of new prototypes for female forms and idealized faces.
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NCERT Class 12 Fine Art — An Introduction to Indian Art Part-II — Chapter 5 — The Pahari Schools of Painting 5. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.