Oliver White
Head of Department
Lot 353
An extensive view of a fort by a river, possibly Bharatpur in Rajasthan Company School, circa 1820-30
23 April 2013, 10:30 BST
London, New Bond Street£2,000 - £3,000
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An extensive view of a fort by a river, possibly Bharatpur in Rajasthan
Company School, circa 1820-30
Company School, circa 1820-30
watercolour on watermarked paper, black margin rules, framed
313 x 705 mm.
313 x 705 mm.
Footnotes
The identification of this view as Bharatpur rests on the distinctive round turrets, particularly that to the left of centre; but more especially on the apparent damage caused by artillery fire to that turret and to the wall to the right. A watercolour by Thomas van Buerle, apparently depicting a scene some time between 1814 and 1820, shows such wide-based turrets with sloping sides, as well as apparent damage (see Christie's, Arts of India, 27th September 2001, lot 76; and Spink, A Journey through India: Pictures of India by British Artists, October-November 1996, no. 55).
In 1803 a peace treaty had been signed between the Raja of Bharatpur and the British, which broke down in 1805. The fort withstood British attacks and fire from it caused heavy casualties, eventually succumbing, after which another treaty was signed. Peace lasted in the region until 1824, when civil war broke out after the death of the Raja, Runjeet Singh. In attempting to restore the legitimate successor, the British besieged the fort and in January 1826 some of the walls and turrets were destroyed.