Lot Essay
'The Fort of Currah [Kara] was formerly of considerable importance. It is situated on high ground on the western bank of the River Ganges and was attached to a large town of the same name [about forty miles up river from Allahabad]. At present only a few detached parts of the ancient wall of the Fort remain... What appears in this view was formerly part of a gateway. From this spot the view down the river Ganges has a good effect, the banks are well clothed with Mango topes, or groves, richly interspersed with buildings, boats etc.' (Oriental Scenery).
The Daniells had spent the monsoon period of 1789 in Lucknow. In mid October they set off on their travels again, going eastwards, in order to reach Samuel Davis's house at Bhagalpur before the heat of the following spring required another halt. One of the first places they visited on this section of the journey was Kara, on the Ganges, which they reached on 25 October. All three of the watercolours of the site included here (see lots 44 and 45) relate to aquatints in Oriental Scenery, this one shows a similar view to Oriental Scenery, vol.III, no.21 (published 1 April 1803), though the aquatint version is a wider view, showing part of the river.
The Daniells had spent the monsoon period of 1789 in Lucknow. In mid October they set off on their travels again, going eastwards, in order to reach Samuel Davis's house at Bhagalpur before the heat of the following spring required another halt. One of the first places they visited on this section of the journey was Kara, on the Ganges, which they reached on 25 October. All three of the watercolours of the site included here (see lots 44 and 45) relate to aquatints in Oriental Scenery, this one shows a similar view to Oriental Scenery, vol.III, no.21 (published 1 April 1803), though the aquatint version is a wider view, showing part of the river.