Summary: The text explores the evolution of Rajput painting styles in Bundi and Kota from the mid-sixteenth century onwards. It delves into the distinctive architectural style developed in the Kathiawar peninsula of Gujarat after the Guptan empire. The author discusses various paintings, manuscripts, and inscriptions from Bundi and Kota, highlighting differences in stylistic elements such as color palette, figure types, and landscape representation. The influence of rulers like Zalim Singh and Chattar Sal in shaping artistic tastes and innovations in Kota painting is examined. Historical and inscriptional evidence is emphasized as a critical framework for attributing Rajput paintings, cautioning against relying solely on visual cues such as connoisseurship. The significance of personal style, technical finesse, and artistic innovation in defining the artistic identities of Bundi and Kota schools is a key theme throughout the text, which sheds light on the complex socio-political context and creative expressions of Rajput artistry.