1742 A.D. - 16 3/4" x 10"
Ascribed to Nihal Chand
This most unusual and attractive painting is more than a tour de force in black and gold. Apart from the fact that its composition bespeaks a mind of no ordinary merit, it is entitled to our admiration not only for the novelty of its presentation, but also for its beauty.

This miniature led to the discovery that many of the Kishangarh masterpieces were illustrations to the verses of Nagari Das. On its reverse are lines, the last of which reads:

"The scented smoke of incense
floats around the fitful beauty
of a stream of shining lamps,
while showers of dazzling sparks
create a wondrous land.

Ah nought so wondrous
hath thine eyes yet seen before."

There is satisfactory documentary evidence to indicate that Dipavalika was painted in A.D. 1742 and this fact supports the suggestion that the period of Nihal Chand was A.D. 1735 to 1748.

The scales in the background suggest the sport of Radha and Krishna with the gopis, buying and selling sweetmeats and other articles; part of a lila (pastime) on the day of this festival.