Sunday, November 22, 2015
Saturday, March 5, 2011
A Mezzotint engraving of Fort William, Calcutta, which formed the Bengal Presidency in British India 1735.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Raj painting sells for over $1m
A historic painting of a meeting between British and Indian officials during the days of the Raj has sold for 12 times its estimated value.The picture - painted by Indian artist Raja Ravi Varma in 1880 - sold for £602,400 ($1.24m).
It was sold by the London auctioneer, Bonhams, on Friday for a price which dwarfed the estimated sale price of £50,000-70,000.
It fetched three times what the next most expensive Varma painting went for.
The painting is of the Maharaja of Travancore and his younger brother welcoming Richard Temple-Grenville, governor-general of Madras, on an official visit to what is now the southern state of Kerala in 1880.
The painting was bought by Neville Tuli, who correspondents say represents one of the top art dealers in Mumbai (Bombay).
Mr Tuli told the Press Association news agency that his acquisition was significant as "it is very important to bring back to India part of its artistic cultural heritage".
A Bonhams spokesman said the picture had generated so much interest because it depicted a meeting between an English aristocratic and an Indian aristocrat at the height of British rule over India.
Correspondents say that Mr Varma (1848-1906) was one of the most admired academic painters of colonial India, and was often invited to state occasions by British and Indian high officials.
Source:BBC News
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Inauguration ceremony of Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru being sworn in as India's first Prime Minister by Lord Mountbatten on August 15, 1947.Lord Mountbtten was the British Governer General of India, who announced the partitioning of the British Indian Empire into an India and Pakistan, under the provision of the Indian Independence act of Act 1947.
Rare images of 1857 uprising in India (The firtst war of independence)
Fierce battle
The Sikander Bagh in Lucknow was the venue for a fierce battle during the 1857 uprising. This picture was taken by Felice Beato, an Italian who visited India soon after the mutiny and, some say, had the bones dug out for the photo. Pictures courtesy: Alkazi Foundation.
A hand-written caption identifies the man as Gungoo Mehter who was tried at Kanpur for killing many of the Sati Chaura survivors, including many women and children. He was convicted and hanged at Kanpur on 8 September 1859. Photo: John Nicholas Tressider.
This sketch of Lucknow's Alam Bagh was made by Lt CH Mecham on 25 December 1857 while fierce fighting raged on. In a note at the bottom of the sketch, the artist wishes "my future readers many happy returns of this festive season".
The Sikander Bagh in Lucknow was the venue for a fierce battle during the 1857 uprising. This picture was taken by Felice Beato, an Italian who visited India soon after the mutiny and, some say, had the bones dug out for the photo. Pictures courtesy: Alkazi Foundation.Bombarded
Up to 1,000 British troops, their families and loyal sepoys were holed up in Gen Wheeler's entrenchment in Kanpur for three weeks in June 1857 where they were constantly bombarded by a local prince, Nana Sahib's army. Photo: Felice Beato, 1858.
Up to 1,000 British troops, their families and loyal sepoys were holed up in Gen Wheeler's entrenchment in Kanpur for three weeks in June 1857 where they were constantly bombarded by a local prince, Nana Sahib's army. Photo: Felice Beato, 1858.Ambushed
On 27 June 1857, Europeans who had been promised safe passage from Wheeler's entrenchment arrived at the Sati Chaura Ghat (jetty) to take the boat out when Nana Sahib's army ambushed them and killed many. Photo: Samuel Bourne, early 1865.
On 27 June 1857, Europeans who had been promised safe passage from Wheeler's entrenchment arrived at the Sati Chaura Ghat (jetty) to take the boat out when Nana Sahib's army ambushed them and killed many. Photo: Samuel Bourne, early 1865.On death row
A hand-written caption identifies the man as Gungoo Mehter who was tried at Kanpur for killing many of the Sati Chaura survivors, including many women and children. He was convicted and hanged at Kanpur on 8 September 1859. Photo: John Nicholas Tressider.Christmas wishes
This sketch of Lucknow's Alam Bagh was made by Lt CH Mecham on 25 December 1857 while fierce fighting raged on. In a note at the bottom of the sketch, the artist wishes "my future readers many happy returns of this festive season". Public hangings
It was common to hang "rebels" publicly to serve as a warning to avoid future betrayals. It is not known where Felice Beato took this picture in 1858.
It was common to hang "rebels" publicly to serve as a warning to avoid future betrayals. It is not known where Felice Beato took this picture in 1858.Mutiny Memorial
The Mutiny Memorial in Delhi is a monument to British officers. In panels around the base, there is a record of 2,163 officers and men who were killed, wounded or went missing between 8 June and 7 September 1857. It was taken in 1870 by an unknown photographer.
The Mutiny Memorial in Delhi is a monument to British officers. In panels around the base, there is a record of 2,163 officers and men who were killed, wounded or went missing between 8 June and 7 September 1857. It was taken in 1870 by an unknown photographer.
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