The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 19, 2025

Raja Sansar Chand attacking Kangra Fort

after 1782

Northern India, Pahari kingdom of Kangra

Gum tempera, ink, and gold on cotton cloth
overall with border: 81.3 x 264 cm (32 x 103 15/16 in.); Painting only: 73 x 256.5 cm (28 3/4 x 101 in.)
Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.120
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

The king is 17 years old, beardless, riding a dark brown steed in front of the camel at the far right.

Description

In 1782, the 17-year-old king of Kangra fought to retake his ancestral kingdom from the Mughals, who had controlled the territory since 1620. He rides a dark brown horse in front of the camel at the far right, blending in among his army and allies.

The leftmost panel shows the residents of Kangra fleeing the conflict with their belongings on their heads to the safety of the fortress at the far left, from the walls where cannons are being fired. The main temple, built of gray stone, is in the middle of the composition, marked by red flags.
  • ?–1976
    (Charles Ewart, London, England, sold to Catherine Glynn and Ralph Benkaim)
    1976–2001
    Ralph Benkaim [1914–2001] and Catherine Glynn Benkaim [b. 1946], Beverly Hills, CA
    2001–2018
    Catherine Glynn Benkaim and Barbara Timmer, Beverly Hills, CA, partial sale and gift to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2018–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Martial Art of India. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (February 11-August 21, 2022).
  • {{cite web|title=Raja Sansar Chand attacking Kangra Fort|url=false|author=|year=after 1782|access-date=19 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2018.120