c. 1740-1770

Pandit Dinamani Raina Visits the Women's Quarters of Raja Dalip Singh of Guler

An inscription on the reverse of this painting identifies the male figure depicted here as Pandit Dinamani Raina, family priest to Raja Dalip Singh of Guler (ruled 1695-1741). The accuracy of this inscription is suspect, however. It is unlikely that a priest would have gained access to the royal zenana, or women's quarters, let alone shared an intimate conversation with a queen or princess of the court. This painting, then, may very well be inspired more by fantasy than an actual event. Zenana scenes were intended to speak more to the wealth and virility of the ruler than to provide a documentary view into the private lives of royal women.