Sugriva challenges his brother Vali, King of the Forest Dwellers, to a duel, folio 10 from the Kishkindha Kanda (Book of Kishkindha) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey)

Rendered in the distinctive Pahari aesthetic of the Himalayan region, the work blends stylised rock formations that curl like living forms with textile patterns derived from Mughal court painting. The figures are outlined with bright pigments, the monkeys rendered in stark white against a dark cave interior, while Rama’s skin is painted in a vivid blue, emphasizing his divine nature.

The piece belongs to a series illustrating a local Himalayan version of the Ramayana, likely produced in the Nurpur court during the summer months when Mughal emperors retreated to the hills. The incorporation of Mughal motifs suggests direct artistic exchange between the imperial workshop and the Pahari kingdoms.

Set within the broader tradition of northern Indian Pahari painting, the work reflects the syncretic visual language that emerged from the interaction of indigenous mountain styles and the refined techniques of Mughal art. Its narrative focus on the Kishkindha episode aligns with regional devotional interests in the heroic exploits of Rama and his monkey allies.