Artwork Page for Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra and courtiers

Details / Information for Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra and courtiers

Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra and courtiers

c. 1783

Northern India, Pahari kingdoms

Medium
gum tempera and gold on paper
Measurements
Overall: 24.2 x 21.6 cm (9 1/2 x 8 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Clara Taplin Rankin 1986.63
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
On view at National Museum of Asian Art, Washington, DC, Apr 18, 2026 - Jul 26, 2026
Print
?

Did You Know?

This painting once belonged to Cleveland attorney George P. Bickford, who endowed positions at the CMA and Harvard.

Description

Ruler of the western Himalayan kingdom of Kangra from 1775 to 1823, Sansar Chand (1765–1823) is seated on a red dais. As a youth at around 18 years of age, he still has not grown a beard, and his distinctive curly bushy hair is visible beneath his pink turban. This portrait may commemorate the Mughals relinquishing control of Kangra in 1783.
A vertically oriented tempera and gold painting depicts the medium-light-skinned Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra seated center on a red platform, wearing a pink robe. To our left, seven courtiers in white and green robes and turbans look and gesture toward him. To our right, four men in maroon and white robes stand or sit. The scene is set against a large gray wall and white floor.

Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra and courtiers

c. 1783

Northern India, Pahari kingdoms

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork