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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1960.158
Title
Balarama Destroys Shishupala’s Army (painting, recto)
Classification
Paintings
Work Type
painting
Date
c. 1760-1770
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India, Northern India, Pahari Region
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/216061

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Opaque watercolor and some gold on paper
Dimensions
38.8 x 28.7 cm (15 1/4 x 11 5/16 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gifts for Special Uses Fund
Accession Year
1960
Object Number
1960.158
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
In this painting, Balarama, the brother of Krishna, who is the eighth avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, is crowned, mounted on an elephant, and fires arrows at members of Shishupala’s army. Shishupala was the evil cousin of Balarama and Krishna. According to the sacred Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, Krishna would pardon Shishupala of 100 offenses. But when he commits the 101st offense, Krishna, with the guidance of Balarama, declares war on Shishupala, which leads to Shishupala’s demise. The story is also recounted in a poem based on the Mahabharata, the Shishupala Vadha, which focuses on the demise of Shishupala. Pahari Style, Guler School.

Exhibition History

  • Out of the Hills: Miniature Painting from Himalayan India, Harvard University Art Museums, Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge, 05/26/1984 - 07/08/1984

Verification Level

This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu