SITA RAM'S PAINTED VIEWS OF INDIA

J. P. LOSTY    Book Number: 92359    Product format: Hardback

Sub-titled 'Lord Hastings's Journey From Calcutta to the Punjab, 1814-15', we are immersed in an Indian visual feast in very glamorous landscape Thames & Hudson publication with over 200 colour illustrations. The reason for the journey was to inspect the British possessions in India and to meet Indian rulers and notables in Lord Hastings's capacity as Commander-in-Chief and to keep a closer eye on the current war with Nepal. J. P Losty brings alive the 17 month long expedition in a flotilla of 220 boats from Barrackpore past Patna, Benares, Allahabad and Cawnpore, and then overland to Lucknow, Delhi and the Punjab, through Sita Ram's previously unpublished paintings of colonial India, now mostly in the British Library. Lord Hastings's journal of his travels from Calcutta records the events and views of this journey and was accompanied by 200 large watercolour illustrations. The book includes an edited version of the journal charting his passage and the paintings reveal architectural detail and a striking sense of place. Here are three noble gothic arches which in fact do not exist at the courtyard and prayer hall of the Jami Masjid at Delhi, an encampment of tents with a Union flag flying, probably the Begum's own. Presumably after this encounter Lady Hastings left for Delhi taking Sita Ram with her. Typical diary entries begin 'We breakfasted with the Nawab Vizeer.' 'At night we proceeded to Constantia, which is to be our residence. It is three miles from the palace.' 'I went in the morning as soon as it was light to shoot in the Park of Dilkoosha, according to a solicitation made to me by the Nawab Vizeer. He pays great attention to anything which he regards as having been the wish of his father.' There is a map, a history of the artist Sita Ram and some of his natural history studies reproduced in colour plates such as of a young ostrich lacking tail feathers, and a tamarind tree, but best of all are the architectural details of the sculptures on tombs, doors of temples and façades with beautiful filigree stonework. Richly detailed for all with an interest in the British Raj, history, architecture and natural history and the military situation of the period. A magnificent heavyweight publication, 256 large pages.

Published price: £35

Bibliophile price: £18