Who painted Maharao Chhatar Sal?

Maharao Chhatar Sal was painted by Unknown in 1870.

Where can I see Maharao Chhatar Sal?

Maharao Chhatar Sal is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Maharao Chhatar Sal?

Maharao Chhatar Sal is associated with Patna School of Painting.

Artwork

Maharao Chhatar Sal

Unknown , 1870

Maharao Chhatar Sal is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The work is an opaque watercolor on paper portraying Maharao Chhatar Sal, the ruler of Kota between 1866 and 1869. He is shown astride a horse adorned with garlands, surrounded by attendants and women bearing garlands, all set within a festive procession.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures the Gangaur festival, a celebration dedicated to the Hindu deities Shiva and Parvati. The inclusion of garland‑bearing women and the ruler’s prominent position emphasize the ritual’s communal and royal dimensions.

Technique & Style

Executed in opaque watercolor, the painting employs vivid greens, reds and yellows. Fine brushwork renders intricate patterns on clothing, weapons and animal harnesses, while a decorative wavy border frames a landscape of trees and distant hills. The composition balances detailed figuration with a stylized background.

Context

Created during the late nineteenth‑century princely state era, the work reflects the visual conventions of court portraiture in Rajasthan, where rulers were often depicted in ceremonial attire amid public celebrations, reinforcing their authority and patronage of religious festivals.