The Indian Portrait

An online museum on the fascinating journey of Indian Portraits
from the collection of Anil Relia

Bai Pirojbai Framji Dossabhai Mama

Bai Pirojbai Framji Dossabhai Mama by ACA Hosain dated 1886 Oil colour on photograph 36 x 24 in. (91.4 x 61 cm.) She was the grand daughter of the well-known Seth Jeejeebhai Dadabhai. She worked selecting and supplying for the dressing material for the J. N. Petit Parsi Boys’ Orphanage for the rest of her […]

Ratanbai Rustomji Dalal

Ratanbai Rustomji Dalal by Muncharam M., Surat dated 01-02-1867 Oil on canvas 23.6 x 19.7 in. (60 x 50 cm.)

Rustomji Pujyaji Dalal

Rustomji Pujyaji Dalal by Muncharam M., Surat dated 14-07-1867 Oil on canvas 27.2 x 20 in. (69 x 51 cm.)

Bai Rudimai Vicaji Meherji

Bai Rudimai Vicaji Meherji (1783-1882) The late venerable Parsi lady by Perojsha Hormasjee circa 1860 Oil on canvas 31.5 x 25.3 in. (80 x 64 cm.) Her name Rudimai (good mother) most aptly and completely indicates her angelic and sublime character. She remained the same old venerable personage she was, loving simplicity and carrying out […]

Seth Jeejeebhoy Dadabhoy

Seth Jeejeebhoy Dadabhoy (1786-1849) Pioneer of steam navigation in western India by Chinese artist circa 1840 Oil on canvas 20.7 x 16.5 in. (52.6 x 41.9 cm.) He started as a broker and agent, and was in the business of coffee, sugar, coconuts and other estates for around 40 years. He was mainly known as the […]

Dastur Kaikhushru Darab

Dastur Kaikhushru Darab (1796-1868) High Priest of the Shahanshai Parsis of Surat by Chinese artist circa 1860 Oil on canvas 20 x 17 in. (50.8 x 43.2 cm.) Dastur Darab was the one, who tolled the first prayer call-bell at the newly consecrated Surat Shahanshai Atash-Beheram which was installed under his supervision. The sacred place […]

Ardeshir Dhanjishah Kotwal

Ardeshir Dhanjishah Kotwal (1796-1856) Warden-General of Surat castle & town by Chinese artist circa 1850 Oil on canvas 23.2 x 18.5 in. (59 x 47 cm.) Ardeshir was brought up under protection after his father, a prominent Parsi officer of the British East India Company, was murdered. Hailing from an aristocratic family, he became a […]

Bachoobai Ardeshir Godrej

Bachoobai Ardeshir Godrej (1872-1891) Pirojbai Sohrabji Kamdin (1875-1891) Historically important document, perhaps a newspaper layout-artwork, for “Kaiser-I-Hind” by Studio artist of Kaiser-I-Hind dated December, 1891 Oil colour on paper 22 x 17 in. (55.7 x 43.3 cm.) Bachoobai A. Godrej was the wife of Ardeshir Burjorji Sorabji Godrej (1868-1936). Ardeshir belonged to a wealthy Parsi- […]

Ardesar Hormasjee Bomanjee Wadia

Ardesar Hormasjee Bomanjee Wadia (1812-1882) Merchant and philanthropist, co-founder Seth Hormushjee Bomanjee Wadia Atesh Behram by Unknown photographer & artist circa 1875 Oil colour on photograph 22.4 x 13 in. (57 x 33 cm.) The Wadias were the founders of the Wadia temple and Ardesar was amongst the very first Indians to be at a […]

Pestonjee Meherjee

Pestonjee Meherjee (1799-1854) Merchant and banker, Hyderabad (Deccan) well known for his philanthropy by Unknown photographer & artist circa 1860 Watercolour on photograph 8 x 5.5 in. (20.3 x 14 cm.) Pestonjee with his brother Viccajee Meherjee, worked as taxfarmers to the Bombay Government and also constructed cartroads. They founded religious places of worship earning […]