“The young Raja Sansar Chand out riding with companions” is a work of Kangra art by Kushala. We see Raja Sansar Chand, the great ruler of the Kangra State and patron of Kushala, in his youth. He is depicted wearing a stunning gold and black shawl, with a turban of similar material on his head. Gold was likely used for the depiction of Raja Sansar Chand. He is shown riding a brown horse alongside his companions, as they roam across seemingly a dry desert of sorts. The plain background is perfect for displaying the fine clothing adorned by his companions, each in rich colours of green, orange, yellow, etc. The Raja is extremely young here, clean shaven and visibly smaller than his companions. This depiction of him, conversing with an aged man and with a retinue of older men behind him, displays his power in that he commands respect from those clearly older than him.
The work is attributed to Kushala (1730-1790), who was a painter part of the illustrious Pandit Seu-Manaku-Nainsukh lineage that defined the Kangra school of art. He was the son of Manaku, and part of the ‘Masters of the First Generation after Manaku and Nainsukh’ that continued the lineage of their predecessors. Kushala was the favourite artist of Sansar Chand(1765-1824), the Katoch dynasty Rajput ruler of the Kangra state. Raja Sansar Chand, who grew to be an ambitious and powerful ruler, came to the throne in 1775, at the young age of 10.
Kangra art, a style of painting that is characterised by miniature depictions of humans and great appreciation of nature, like flowing rivers. These paintings were created using natural pigments. Particularly, this artwork showcases Raja Sansar Chand at a young age accomapnied by perhaps noblemen or general out riding on their horses. The young ruler can be seen in the middle of the painting, being highlighted and Kushala has smartly poured the qualities of courage, valour and charm to the ruler. Even in simplicity and among his subjects the king shines brighter than most, making him stand apart from the rest. It is also said that the Kangra art floursihed under the reign of Sansar Chand in the regions of current Himachal Pradesh.
