---
title: Biral Tapasvi (Cat Hermit)
author: Unknown Artist
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18046/biral-tapasvi-cat-hermit/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2024-10-02
---

# Biral Tapasvi (Cat Hermit)

_Authored by Unknown Artist_

## Image File

[![Biral Tapasvi (Cat Hermit)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/18046.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/18046.jpg)

## Image Caption

Kalighat painting based on Bengali folklore where a cat poses as a monk on an island full of mice. The cat later proves them wrong for their initial lack of belief through saintly behavior. He then consumes the offspring of several mice after gaining the respect of his peers. It is assumed that this is a portrayal of ascetics in a form of artistic mockery. Paper on watercolor by an unknown artist from Kolkata, [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/), c. 1890s.

Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Artist, U. (2023, October 24). Biral Tapasvi (Cat Hermit). *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18046/biral-tapasvi-cat-hermit/>
### Chicago
Artist, Unknown. "Biral Tapasvi (Cat Hermit)." *World History Encyclopedia*, October 24, 2023. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18046/biral-tapasvi-cat-hermit/>.
### MLA
Artist, Unknown. "Biral Tapasvi (Cat Hermit)." *World History Encyclopedia*, 24 Oct 2023, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18046/biral-tapasvi-cat-hermit/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O67458/painting-unknown/) by **Unknown Artist**. Submitted by [Bahnisikha Dey](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/bahnisikha/ "User Page: Bahnisikha Dey"), published on 24 October 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.