Raja Shamsher Sen of Mandi in the guise of the Hindu deity Shiva

Some historical sources dating from Shamsher Sen's reign (approx. 1740-1781) describe him as an enigmatic ruler with "low companions," "crazy habits," and a predilection for "dressing up." It is difficult today to determine the truth of such statements, although Shamsher Sen's surviving portraits do suggest a unique personality.

Several of the portraits, such as this one, depict him in the garb of the Hindu god Shiva. Like Shiva, Shamsher Sen grasps a trident in his left hand and a strand of prayer beads in his right, and wears a leopard skin and a headdress adorned with a crescent moon and a datura flower. A marking resembling Shiva's third eye appears on Shamsher Sen's forehead. His jewelry and his courtly attendant, however, clearly indicate his royal stature.

Imagery equating kings with gods is not unusual in South Asian art. In fact, by depicting himself in the guise of Shiva, Shamsher Sen was following a precedent established by his grandfather Sidh Sen (reigned 1684-1727). According to several accounts, Sidh Sen was viewed as an extremely powerful ruler; he was said to possess extraordinary physical strength and magical powers that allowed him to fly every morning to bathe at the source of the Ganges. Shamsher Sen's representation in a similar deified manner may indicate that he had a desire to associate himself with his famous ancestor.