Posted on: 12 December 2011

A view of the Jami Masjid in Delhi, seen from the side of an adjoining house. Rooftop in foreground. Street and steps leading up to the mosque in the centre. Houses to left and right - 1840

Artist : Mazhar Ali Khan

This Company painting shows a view of the Jami Masjid in Delhi. This is India's largest mosque, designed by the architect of Shah Jahan and built between 1644 and 1656. It was originally called Masjid-i Jahannuma ('mosque commanding a view of the world') and stands on Bho Jhala, one of Shahjahanabad's two hills, looking east towards the Red Fort.

'Company paintings' were produced by Indian artists for Europeans living and working in the Indian subcontinent, especially British employees of the East India Company. They represent a fusion of traditional Indian artistic styles with conventions and technical features borrowed from western art. Some Company paintings were specially commissioned, while others were virtually mass-produced and could be purchased in bazaars.

Source : V&A, London


 View Post on Facebook

Comments from Facebook

All these homes in the foreground belonged to the 'umraas' (courtiers)and were ordered demolished soon after the 1857 mutiny. In the 1950's, this area became a huge flea market for junk materials and old books, and I bought many interesting books and magazines there, until the area was finally cleared by Sanjay Gandhi.

Thank you Dr. asad for sharing your unforgettable moments in India & pleasure of buying old books. do you still have those books in your collection?

No, I left them in India some 50 years ago and they all disappeared.