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Lot Essay
A raja prepares to throw dice in a game of chaupar against three courtiers. There is a clear tension in the room as the raja and his teammate learn forward and stare at their opponents with an intensive competitivity. Their opponents are slightly more at ease, perhaps as a sign of respect towards the raja's court. The charged scene is emboldened by the striking color palette and sparse background. The use of color and subtle gesture here is a hallmark of Basohli painting and related Guler works.
Chaupar, derived from the Sanskrit words for "crossroads," is played on a cross-form cloth board, each arm consisting of three rows of eight squares. Two additional popular games games are played on chaupar boards, pachisi with cowrie shells and four players, and phansa, with long dice and two opponents. Men would often liven the competition on these games through gambling on each throw and the overall result of the game.
The men are all dressed in simple white jamas and turbans, with katars tucked into their waists. The raja, however wears a jama with an elaborated embroidered breast and has a colorful feathered turban. An attribution of his identity is difficult without an inscription, however, the feathered turban style would be in line with Guler royal lineage.
A similar painting from the court of Kulu depicting Raja Pritam Singh playing chaupar with three courtiers is illustrated by W.G. Archer in Indian Paintings from the Punjab Hills, vol. 2, 1973, p. 255, no. 35. Another painting with a similar composition, attributed to Pandit Seu of Guler, depicts Mian Gopal Singh playing chess with Pandit Dinamani Raina (see B.N. Goswamy and E. Fischer in Pahari Masters: Court Painters of Northern India, Zurich, 1992, p. 228-9, no. 92.). Another painting from Devidasa's Rasamanjari series at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (acc. no. 57.185.2) depicts Shiva and Parvati playing a game of chaupar against the same energetic yellow background.
Chaupar, derived from the Sanskrit words for "crossroads," is played on a cross-form cloth board, each arm consisting of three rows of eight squares. Two additional popular games games are played on chaupar boards, pachisi with cowrie shells and four players, and phansa, with long dice and two opponents. Men would often liven the competition on these games through gambling on each throw and the overall result of the game.
The men are all dressed in simple white jamas and turbans, with katars tucked into their waists. The raja, however wears a jama with an elaborated embroidered breast and has a colorful feathered turban. An attribution of his identity is difficult without an inscription, however, the feathered turban style would be in line with Guler royal lineage.
A similar painting from the court of Kulu depicting Raja Pritam Singh playing chaupar with three courtiers is illustrated by W.G. Archer in Indian Paintings from the Punjab Hills, vol. 2, 1973, p. 255, no. 35. Another painting with a similar composition, attributed to Pandit Seu of Guler, depicts Mian Gopal Singh playing chess with Pandit Dinamani Raina (see B.N. Goswamy and E. Fischer in Pahari Masters: Court Painters of Northern India, Zurich, 1992, p. 228-9, no. 92.). Another painting from Devidasa's Rasamanjari series at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (acc. no. 57.185.2) depicts Shiva and Parvati playing a game of chaupar against the same energetic yellow background.