Open full image Pin

Indian sports

Hulas Lal

1830

paint

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Patna School of Painting Romanticism Early 19th Century Genre Scene

Dominant colour

Indian sports is a 1830 paint by Hulas Lal, a Patna School of Painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Hulas Lal
When & what style?: 1830 · Patna School of Painting
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows a big crowd watching two shirtless men play a game with curved sticks and a ball. Some men stand in the back, dressed in white robes and hats, while others sit on mats in the front. A few men in military uniforms with red hats stand near the players, and there’s a small building and trees in the background. At the bottom, scattered tools like clubs and drums lie on the ground. The players seem to be the center of attention, with everyone else watching closely. The mix of casual and formal clothing hints at different groups in the scene. Want to see more? Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The story of this work

Overview

The painting depicts traditional Indian sports, including wrestling, weight-lifting, archery, and sword-play.

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

Hulas Lal

A parrot perched on a branch and a wrestling scene in muted blues and ochres belong to the small, unsigned body of work called “Company paintings.” Made by Indian artists under British rule, these lively pictures show local life for European buyers.

See the richer artist page