Zinat Mahal Begum Sahiba
Zinat Mahal Begum Sahiba (1823 – 1886) She married Bahadur Shah Zafar at Delhi in 1840 and greatly influenced the emperor. After the rebellion of 1857 her husband was deposed by the British, bringing the Mughal empire to an end. She was exiled to Rangoon with her husband. Steel engraving published by the London Printing […]
Princess Victoria Gowramma of Coorg
Princess Victoria Gowramma of Coorg (1822 – 1865) Daughter of Chikka Veerarajendra, the last Raja of Coorg. She travelled to England in 1852. When presented in front of Queen Victoria the Queen was instantly taken by the young girl and took the princess under her wing along with her royal consort Prince Albert. Steel engraving […]
The Indian Maid
The Indian Maid (circa 1850) Different beauties of the world like Honeysuckle, The Hamlet’s Pride, Lalla Rookh and The Indian Maid were published by John Tallis (1817 – 1876). He was a cartographer and started The illustrated news of the world and national portrait gallery of eminent personages in 1858. Steel engraving by Edward F. […]
The Triumphal Reception of the Sikh Gun
The Triumphal Reception of the Sikh Gun On winning the first Anglo Sikh war, Sir Henry Harting ordered all the guns taken from the Sikhs to be sent to Calcutta, and gave directions to the Deputy Governor to receive them with due honour & ceremony. Grand preparations were accordingly made by the Deputy Governor, Sir […]
Maharaja Duleep Singh
Maharaja Duleep Singh (1838 – 1893) He was the son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. After Ranjit’s death in 1839, Duleep was proclaimed Maharaja in 1843. In 1849 the British annexed Punjab & Duleep was forced to renounce his sovereign rights. The Koh-i-Noor, owned by Duleep was taken by the British as part of the Lahore […]
Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780 – 1839) Founder of the Sikh Empire, based in Punjab from 1799 to 1849. As a child he suffered from smallpox and lost one eye. He helped Shah Shuja Durrani of Afganistan to get the throne and in exchange he brought Koh-i-Noor back to India in 1813. Steel engraved & published […]
Baboo Dwarkanath Tagore
Baboo Dwarkanath Tagore (1794 – 1846) An industrialist and entrepreneur, adopted by a rich businessman, Ramlochan Tagore. He studied law under Robert Fergusson, starting a successful career in 1815. He expanded the modest estate he inherited, through entrepreneurial rather than feudal management, engaging several European experts, and by 1840 he had concerns in shipping, export, […]
Portrait of a Money-Lender, Malabar
Portrait of a Money-Lender, Malabar (circa 1790) This Malabar Hindoo was a well known wealthy money-lender, and possessed an uncommonly keen wisdom in his region. He would lend his money at exorbitant interest, and was perhaps the most remorseless creditor in the world if payment was not made at the stipulated time. Steel engraving by […]
Rangamma, The Queen of Candy
Rangamma, The Queen of Candy (circa 1790) When William Daniel visited King of Candy he was permitted to make a portrait of the queen, from which this engraving was made. The very young & extremely pretty queen was much delighted at seeing her features transferred to paper. Steel engraving by Richard Woodman (1784 – 1859), […]
The Rajpootnee Bride
The Rajpootnee Bride (circa 1790) Rajput Bride celebrated for her beauty. She had many suitors and was highly sought after. But she fell in love with the son of the chief of the opposite tribe. The princess married her lover despite prohibition of her father, and, in the end, the couple commited suicide. Steel engraving […]