Maharaja Gulab Singh on lake Wular in Kashmir

Details

Maharaja Gulab Singh on lake Wular in Kashmir
probably Guler, circa 1840-45

gouache heightened with gold on paper, on a gently rippling lake, the Maharaja, in richly coloured robes, sits at the prow of a narrow boat, his son stands behind him while eleven other men in white or grey dress paddle the vessel, on the far bank a military band plays and a small group of soldiers stand to attention beside horses and an elephant while the boat passes, blue border with white and gold flowering vine, on white leaf, (slight water-staining and spotting, some flaking on left side barely affecting main image), framed and glazed (frame loose)
leaf 10¼ x 14½in. (26.2 x 37cm.)

Lot Essay

Gulab Singh (1792-1857) was Maharaja of Jammu from 1822 and subsequently purchased Kashmir from the British in 1846 for fifty lacs of rupees. A cruel and self-seeking man, he died en route to assist the British during the Mutiny. The standing figure behind could be his second son, Sohan (Randhir) Singh.

Archer, W.G.: Paintings of the Sikhs, London 1966, figs.52,55 and 56
Aijazuddin, F.S.: Sikh Portraits by European Artists, London 1978, pp.56-59, and 102

More from Islamic

View All