Geographical and Historical Context

1.Regional Spread: Pahari painting refers to the art from the hilly regions of the Western Himalayas, including Basohli, Guler, Kangra, and other centers from the 17th to the 19th centuries.

2.Development and Styles: Originating with the bold and vibrant Basohli style, Pahari painting evolved through the Guler phase into the refined and lyrical Kangra style.

Challenges in Classification

1.Difficulty in Territorial Classification: Unlike other Indian painting schools like Mughal, Deccani, or Rajasthani, Pahari paintings are challenging to classify by region due to overlapping styles and fluid political boundaries.

2.Lack of Inscriptions and Dated Works: The scarcity of dated artworks and inscriptions adds to the difficulty in categorizing these paintings clearly.

Influences and Transformation