Who painted Raja Sansar Chand attacking Kangra Fort?

Raja Sansar Chand attacking Kangra Fort was painted by Unknown in 1782.

Where can I see Raja Sansar Chand attacking Kangra Fort?

Raja Sansar Chand attacking Kangra Fort is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Raja Sansar Chand attacking Kangra Fort?

Raja Sansar Chand attacking Kangra Fort is associated with Pahari Painting.

Artwork

Raja Sansar Chand attacking Kangra Fort

Unknown , 1782

Raja Sansar Chand attacking Kangra Fort is an unspecified painting by the Pahari Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1782 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 2018.120
Credit line: Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund

About this work

You see a long, busy scene: soldiers on horseback charge toward a fortress, while families flee with bundles on their heads.

You see a long, busy scene: soldiers on horseback charge toward a fortress, while families flee with bundles on their heads. Cannons fire from the walls, and a stone temple stands in the center.

This painting shows a real battle from 1782, when a teenage king tried to win back his kingdom. The artist made the king hard to spot, he’s just another rider in the crowd, not the hero at the center.

If you like stories of war and power, look up northern India, Pahari kingdom of Kangra for more paintings like this.

Overview

This painting depicts a pivotal moment in the history of the Kangra kingdom, showing a battle scene with a fortress under attack and civilians fleeing to safety.

Subject & Meaning

The artwork illustrates Raja Sansar Chand's 1782 attempt to reclaim his ancestral kingdom from Mughal control, capturing the chaos of war and the displacement of the local population.

Technique & Style

The composition is a long, dynamic scene featuring numerous figures, with the raja blending into the crowd of soldiers and allies, and a central stone temple marked by red flags.

History & Provenance

The painting represents a historical event involving the Pahari kingdom of Kangra in northern India, a region known for its rich tradition of visual storytelling through art.