Posted on: 24 September 2011

Anchshur - A Nabob's Castle in the territory of Bengal - 1802

Plate twelve from '24 Views in Indostan by William Orme'. This picture is based on an original painted by Francis Swaine Ward (1736-94), and probably depicts the Nawab of Bengal's palace at Anupshahr (U.P.) in the mid to late eighteenth century. Anupshahr became an important town for the British East India Company because it was the northernmost point for shipping traffic on the River Ganges, and the location of an East India Company factory.

Source : British Library


 View Post on Facebook

Comments from Facebook

Anupshahr is located very close to Aligarh where I grew up, but I have never heard of a castle there. It was a big military base for the East India Company. It is interesting to know that this was the "northernmost point of shipping traffic on the Ganges".

Amazing !!! went many times to Anupshahr while in A.M.U.,if it exists. I will luv 2 C it.

To think further, it seems that "Anchshur" and "Anupshahr" are not the same. First, the territory of the Nawabs of Bengal never extended as far as western U.P. where Anupshahr is situated. Secondly, I have never heard of a Nawab's castle in Anupshahr. (Perhaps Mr Haris Zaman can correct me since he has been there.) Hence it seems to be a case of mistaken identity.

Yes !!! As I think Dr. Asad Ahmad observation is true... My friend Rare Book Society has jumbled.

The credit to the narrative goes to our esteemed BL. Even their experts could go wrong sometimes. : )