Boats by the Ghats near Kara, on the Ganges

Kara was a Hindu sacred place until it was conquered by the Muslims in 1194 when it became a centre of government until superceded by Allahabad in 1583. The Daniells made a number of drawings of the ruins of the old city along the Ganges which were published in Oriental Scenery. The present drawing was not engraved but is close to Oriental Scenery, vol. III, no. 1. The original drawing for this was sold at Christie's London, 24 September 1996, The P&O Collection of watercolours of India by Thomas Daniell, R.A. and William Daniell, R.A., lot 45 (19,550).