Basohli was among the earliest centres of Pahari paintings’ which developed in the 17th and 18th centuries in the hill States of Jammu and Punjab. It combined the ancient tradition of folk art, associated with Hindu mythology and Mughal technique. From this happy fusion arose a style of painting which is distinguished by its vibrant colours, simplicity, frankness and passionate approach to theme. This style spread to the Hill States of Mankot, Nurpur, Kulu, Mandi, Suket, Bilaspur, Nalagarh, Chamba, Guler and Kangra.

 Kirpal Pal (1678-1693), ruler of Basohli, was the main patron of the Basohli school of paintings. Basohli Paintings have an individuality of their own and they are easily distinguished from Kangra and Rajasthani paintings. The borders of the paintings are deep red and rarely yellow. The charm of Basohli painting is in its colour appeal. Vibrant colours like yellow and red which the Basohli artists used so liberally seem to penetrate the eye and move us deeply. Another characteristic of these paintings is liberal use of gold and silver paints. Gold is used for embroidery and ornaments and silver for embroidery as well as for painting of dress, windows and pillars of pavilions. Pearls and necklaces are sometimes shown by raised white paint. Basohli painters have used highly conventionalized representation of trees. The Basohli artists have shown an amazing inventiveness in the stylization of trees. Rhododendron arboreum, which bears bunches of red flowers over clusters of lanceolate leaves, seems to be a particular favourite of the Basohli painters, and is shown in a number of paintings. The other trees commonly depicted are weeping willows, horse-chestnuts and cypresses.

The dress of men and women in Basohli painting is also characteristic. Raja Kirpal Pal is shown wearing a gherdar jama of the Aurangzeb period, and a turban sloping back with a cross band. The costume of women in Rasmanjari paintings is usually tight-fitting pyjamas (suthan) often striped, bodice (choli), and a flowing over- garment of silk or muslin (pesvaj) fastening in front. Sometimes women are shown wearing a flowing skirt (ghagra). The head and the ghagra is usually covered with a transparent dupatta. Basohli paintings are typically small in size, created on handmade paper using natural pigments. Despite their small scale, they often depict elaborate scenes from Hindu mythology, particularly the Radha-Krishna theme, as well as scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Recently, Basohli paintings obtained Geographical Indication Tag in March 2023 which would ensure that these cultural treasures are not diluted or counterfeited.