Thread by @aruneshshan

Flawed GI Tag is the worst thing that could've happened to Basohli, Jammu region and Bharat's art heritage. This raises a question on the GI Registry and its process!
Here's what submitted documents for Basohli Paintings for #GeographicalIndications Tag get it wrong
@unnatpandit

1. It is written on Pg 253, Para 4, "Basohli painting craft was started by Moghuls."
2. It is written on Pg 253, under the title *Method of Production*, "Basohli paintings is a fusion of Hindu mythology, Mughal techniques and folk art of the local hills, evolved in the 17th - 18

th Centuries."

3. It is written on Pg 251, under the title *Description*, "Basohli Paintings is a fusion of Hindu Mythology Mughal Miniature techniques and folk art of the local hills evolved in the 17th and 18th Centuries."

4. It is written on Pg 257, "Basohli Paintings is a fusion of Hindu mythology Mughal miniature techniques and folk art of local hills evolved in the 17th and 18th centuries".

5. It is written on Pg 252, under the title *Proof of Origin (Historical Records), "Basohli was founded by Raja Bhupat Pal sometime in 1635."

@shaktipathak71

Factual position:

-> Basohli Art is an indigenous art form that originated & developed in the Western Himalayan hill state of #Basohli under the patronage of Balaurias (as per existing knowledge), before Mughal.

B Paintings existed much before 17th century, (there are proofs) however, it can be said the School was flourishing significantly in 17th-18th century due to increased patronage by Balauria Rajas, growing number of artists &rise in Hindu scriptures and texts,amongst other factors

Several art historians have established that Basohli Paintings were a rejection of Mughal Influence in any form. There were several reasons for the same.

-> Raja Bhupat Pal of Basohli was put in prison by Jahangir. He escaped after 14 years.

8 years later, he was assassinated by Shah Jahan in Delhi when he had gone to pay his respects. Why would his son, Raja Sangram Pal, allow any Mughal influence on Basohli culture and art?
-> Vaishnavism was reviving in Basohli in the 17th Century, and it was a safe place to

practice Hindu faith, culture and art. The Basohli artists have used characters and stories of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
-> Aurangzeb (1618-1707) is infamous for his known hatred for Hindu culture & art. Artists were forced to flee from Delhi when he was on the throne (1658-1707

Why & how could he START Basohli School of painting that have Hindu tradition at its core, or even support its growth?

> Raja Bhupat Pal is known to have shifted the capital of Basohli State from Balaur (Vallapura) to Basohli in 1935. The Basohli State is said to have been founded by his great grandfathers around 8th Century.

It is well known in global art circles that Basohli School of Paintings is different from any other Miniature School. The oldest Miniature style in the Western Himalayas which not only inspired the pahari miniatures but contributed immensely to the whole of Indian Art Tradition.

Pls read as 1635.