Chamba Raja Raj Singh, Rani Naginu and son Jit Singh
Guler-Chamba mixed style, Pahari India, c. 1790-1800 AD
Indian miniature painting of Chamba Raja Raj Singh & family. c. 1780-1800 Pahari India.
Chamba Raja Raj Singh, Rani Naginu and son Jit Singh
Guler-Chamba mixed style, c. 1790-1800 AD
Paper, 8.5 inches x 5.5 inches
The miniature in characteristic Guler-Chamba idiom of Raja Raj Singh’s period when two of the grandsons of Pt. Seu, one of the most talented family of artists in Guler, had migrated to Chamba, couriering with them some of the elements of Guler art style, represents the Chamba Raja Raj Singh seated with his wife Rani Naginu and son Jit Singh. Unlike most royal portraits usually representing a king in his court or with his courtiers, rarely with his family, a number of Raja Raj Singh portraits among the reported ones represent him with his Rani and son. Much of the vigour, freshness, informal touch and emotional appeal the miniatures of his era are endowed with are born of this intimate treatment of theme. When only nine years, Raj Singh lost his father and the responsibility of ruling his father’s state fell on his shoulders. He saw the throne, court and statehood, besides the greed of neighbouring states, encroaching and grabbing his childhood. Maybe, his preference for intimate moments to live with rather than the formal mode of court life was born of such of his childhood background.
Raja Raj Singh who ruled from 1764 to 1794, the year he died in a battle against the most powerful ruler those days, Kangra Raja Sansar Chand, was one of the most benevolent kings of hill states to give liberal patronage to painting. He had a number of painters at his court who painted several great masterpieces now in significant collections world over. This miniature portrays him in his private moments with his Rani and son. Though himself, his Rani and the son are formally attired, the disorderly state of things, cushions lying here and there and the pot with lid moved, suggests that he is in his personal chamber. He is putting on his official turban with crest and crown as also the formal choga but does not have his official weapons, not even a dagger. The prince and the Rani are also formally attired, though squatting on the bed neither the Rani nor the son, leaning in his mother’s lap and freely conversing with his father, are in any formal mood.
Raja Raj Singh, his Rani and son are seated in a marble-clad chamber with a large window, perhaps a balcony overlooking the famous Chamba Chara Bagh garden referred to in various records. The window consists of shallow marble arches. The wall on the back side is also dressed with marble slabs carved with blind arch patterns. Both Raja Raj Singh and his Rani are seated against large bolsters in purple, over a mattress with a white sheet overlaid. On the other side lay two cushions also in purple. All three have sharp features with pointed and well elevated noses, narrow but elongated eyes and highly balanced figures. Raja Raj Singh has a well trimmed beard and moustaches. An orange turban and sash around the waist apart, Raja Raj Singh is in white, Rani in grayish blue and the prince, in golden yellow.
Guler-Chamba mixed style, c. 1790-1800 AD
Paper, 8.5 inches x 5.5 inches
The miniature in characteristic Guler-Chamba idiom of Raja Raj Singh’s period when two of the grandsons of Pt. Seu, one of the most talented family of artists in Guler, had migrated to Chamba, couriering with them some of the elements of Guler art style, represents the Chamba Raja Raj Singh seated with his wife Rani Naginu and son Jit Singh. Unlike most royal portraits usually representing a king in his court or with his courtiers, rarely with his family, a number of Raja Raj Singh portraits among the reported ones represent him with his Rani and son. Much of the vigour, freshness, informal touch and emotional appeal the miniatures of his era are endowed with are born of this intimate treatment of theme. When only nine years, Raj Singh lost his father and the responsibility of ruling his father’s state fell on his shoulders. He saw the throne, court and statehood, besides the greed of neighbouring states, encroaching and grabbing his childhood. Maybe, his preference for intimate moments to live with rather than the formal mode of court life was born of such of his childhood background.
Raja Raj Singh who ruled from 1764 to 1794, the year he died in a battle against the most powerful ruler those days, Kangra Raja Sansar Chand, was one of the most benevolent kings of hill states to give liberal patronage to painting. He had a number of painters at his court who painted several great masterpieces now in significant collections world over. This miniature portrays him in his private moments with his Rani and son. Though himself, his Rani and the son are formally attired, the disorderly state of things, cushions lying here and there and the pot with lid moved, suggests that he is in his personal chamber. He is putting on his official turban with crest and crown as also the formal choga but does not have his official weapons, not even a dagger. The prince and the Rani are also formally attired, though squatting on the bed neither the Rani nor the son, leaning in his mother’s lap and freely conversing with his father, are in any formal mood.
Raja Raj Singh, his Rani and son are seated in a marble-clad chamber with a large window, perhaps a balcony overlooking the famous Chamba Chara Bagh garden referred to in various records. The window consists of shallow marble arches. The wall on the back side is also dressed with marble slabs carved with blind arch patterns. Both Raja Raj Singh and his Rani are seated against large bolsters in purple, over a mattress with a white sheet overlaid. On the other side lay two cushions also in purple. All three have sharp features with pointed and well elevated noses, narrow but elongated eyes and highly balanced figures. Raja Raj Singh has a well trimmed beard and moustaches. An orange turban and sash around the waist apart, Raja Raj Singh is in white, Rani in grayish blue and the prince, in golden yellow.
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