Lot Essay
The present watercolour is a version of a watercolour depicting the bodyguards of Ranjit Singh, in an album in the India Office Library (see M. Archer, Company Drawings in the India Office Library, London, 1972, p. 214, Add. Or. 1385, no. 181, pl. 71). The watercolour in the India Office Library is dated to 1838, was probably executed in Amritsa and is inscribed 'Lahore Life Guards 1838'.