Lot 9

The Fort of Rohtas The Fort at Rohtas in Bihar was taken from its former Hindu rulers by Sher Shah Sur in 1539. Subsequently used by the Mughals, it came into British possession in 1764. The Daniells visited it in February 1790; they were extremely impressed both by its dramatic location and by the ancient buildings within it and they made an unusually large number of drawings of the site. Three of the five watercolours included here were later published as aquatints in Oriental Scenery. Reminiscences of their visit were included in The Oriental Annual of 1835: 'As we approached Rhotas Gur, the hills presented a great variety of form, with occasionally a sternness and abruptness of aspect exceedingly attractive to the eye, though not very inviting to the footsteps of the traveller...' 'The zemeendar of Akbarpoor, a village at the foot of the hill on which the fort of Rhotas stands, very obligingly sent us two or three men to guide us to the summit. We had not proceeded far on our way, which was tedious from the asperity and narrowness of the path, when our progress was interrupted by the gateway of a fortified pass, of which there are several between the base of the hill and the fort. These gateways are immensely strong, and from the steepness of the ascent oppose a formidable barrier to an approaching enemy...' On reaching the first gateway, the chief guide stopped before the portal, and with a significant air of ceremony silently unwound his turban; then, putting one end of it into the hand of a companion, and placing himself at the other extemity, which he held, the two men stood on either side of the doorway, across which they drew the turban about three feet from the ground. Our obsequious guides then told us that it was customary for travellers to pay toll before entering the portal, as a propitiatory offering to Pollear, the protecting deity of pilgrims and travellers, who without such an oblation might bring us into mischief. Their logic was conclusive; therefore, upon the strength of an appeal so irresistible, we deposited the customary tribute in the outstretched palm of the petitioner and passed under the gateway into the gorge of the mountain. We entered several similar portals before we reached the summit, which gave us an exalted idea of the former possessors of this strong-hold, who had displayed great sagacity and skill in fortifying a place so well adapted by nature for the purpose of affording an almost perfect security against invasion. At length we entered the fort, which is gained by a flight of winding steps through a gateway, flanked on either hand by a wall of vast thickness that abuts each side upon a precipice. This wall is built of large masses of a most durable stone so strongly cemented together, that there is not the slightest appearance of decay. The masonry is entirely without ornament, but it still very imposing from its stern simplicity and massive strength: it is a fine specimen of ancient military architecture'(The Oriental Annual, 1835, pp.206-9).

Thomas Daniell, R.A. (1749-1840) and William Daniell, R.A. (1769-1834)

Rajghat, Rohtasgarh, Bihar

Details

Thomas Daniell, R.A. (1749-1840) and William Daniell, R.A. (1769-1834)
Rajghat, Rohtasgarh, Bihar
inscribed 'RAJE GAUT the principal Road up to ROTAS GUR, BAHAR.' (on the artists' original mount, overmounted) and further inscribed 'N.47. Raje Gaut Rotas Ghur' (on the reverse of the artists' original mount)
pencil and watercolour, proprietry watermark, within a black-lined border, on the artists' original mount
18¼ x 23½in. (46.3 x 59.7cm.)

Exhibited

Commonwealth Institute, 1960, no.75.
Smithsonian Institution, 1962, no.36.
Spink, 1974, no.52.

Engraved

T. Daniell, engraving, July 1795 for Oriental Scenery, vol.I, no.5.

Lot Essay

Rajghat, on the ascent to the fort, exemplifies the Daniells' point about artificial defences being used in support of impressive natural ones. This watercolour was the basis of Oriental Scenery, vol.I, no.5 (published July 1795), and the point was reiterated in the accompanying letter press: 'Rohtas Gur is the most considerable fort in this part of India; it is naturally of very great strength, and the weaker parts have been assisted by very strong works' (Oriental Scenery).

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