Sansar Chand Smoking Hookah and Accompanied by Attendants

The painting depicts Sansar Chand (r. 1775-1823), a famous ruler of Kangra, seated on an outdoor terrace. He is shown as a young male wearing a turban with a large black plume, and a white robe (jama) He is seated on a white rug with pink flowers and supported by pillows and bolsters of the same fabric. He holds up the mouthpiece of a hookah pipe to his lips. Sansar faces an attendant with a white turban and robe who appears to be conversing with him. Behind the young ruler is an attendant holding up a fly whisk of peacock feathers, symbolizing Sansar’s royal status. A bearded figure with a pink turban and robe sits kneeling near the king with a sword on his lap. In the foreground is a green recurved bow, and an unfinished black shield with a pistol resting on top of it. Pahari Style, Kangra School.