... Interesting to compare this image by Prinsep with the "Court of The Peshwas, Poona, 1790" (Wales/ Daniell) that the RBSI ' flagged up' a week or two ago... The E.I.C. had , by gradual monthly/ annual installments, moved up from the floor to the ' front row' ...

...ah ! You noticed that too. : )

@ Rose M DeNeve: "An animal sacrifice", yes, but possibly only for the purposes of the feast to follow!!

whaaaaaoowwww!

the two front pillars are uncommon in the context of Bengal,generally European or local style was followed in great mansions in that period,but these pillars remind us medieval jain and hindu temple architecture of M.P. and Gujarat,all the characteristics are there-ghatapallava,chain and bell,diamond motif etc.The inner four pillars are of common style of colonial period...any clue?

Swati Mandal Adhikari : Interesting observation but we cannot rule out the possiblity of artistic licence here. More about the artist : William H. Prinsep (1794–1874), merchant, Palmer & Co., Carr, Tagore & Co., founder, Union Bank (failed), founder, Bengal Tea Association, founder, Bengal Coal Company, owner, Bengal Salt Company (inherited from his brother George), Sheriff, Fort William, Calcutta, amateur artist (studied under George Chinnery), retired to Hyde Park Place, London, secretary, Great Western Railway, South Devon Railway, one of seven sons of patriarch John Prinsep [20]. Appointed secretary of the Oswestry & Newtown Railway in September 1855 but appointment rescinded in October 1855 because shareholders thought that he would be biased in favour of the Great Western Railway. - Wiki

yes,we can not rule out,infact,thanks for response

Rose M DeNeve: I have always been intrigued by this suggestion (not that you have implied)...that meat-eating is normal whereas animal sacrifice is something primitive and abominable. From a vegetarian's viewpoint... there is absolutely no difference. Either way you are slaughtering a poor animal - either for yourself or for your God, which would eventually end up in human stomachs. Is there some biblical reference for this deep-seated bias for looking down on these rituals which are viewed as pagan worship or some such thing ? It is even more puzzling since Christianity is essentially a meat-eating religion.

Well put ! I guess you covered all sides of the argument. : ) But you have also just instilled an interest in us to study firther on the concept of sacrifice...either human or animal...in all ancient religions.

In the absence of any other quick reference, we rely on the ever-vilified Wiki to enlighten us more about animal-sacrifice : Animal sacrifice is the ritual killing of an animal as part of a religion. It is practised by many religions as a means of appeasing a god or gods or changing the course of nature. Animal sacrifice has turned up in almost all cultures, from the Hebrews to the Greeks and Romans, Israelites, Christianity, Islam, Judaism and from the Aztecs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_sacrifice

@Rose M DeNeve : "those who regularly consume animal flesh usually purchase it from a butcher several hours before consumption, and do not slaughter the animal on their doorstep" .... True, insofar as it goes. Except that it is quite common and also customary in the case of large gatherings, such as the one pictured, for the animal (or animals) to be butchered at the venue of the event and / or feast. Not only is the venue any one's door step in particular but note that the "sacrifice" is not being witnessed, all the attendees being engrossed in the programme within the hall. On the other hand, no sacrifice would go unattended.