Nailed gateway of Gironda Serai, near Delhi - 1873

Watercolour by Alfred Frederick Pollock Harcourt (1836-1910) of the nailed gateway of the ruined Gironda Serai near Delhi in Haryana, dated 25th February 1873. The image is inscribed on the front in water-colour: 'Serai-Gironda. 25 Feb. 73'; and on the back in ink: 'Gateway of Gonda Serai near Delhi. Alfred Harcourt.' This ruined caravanserai was formerly a resting-place for travellers and merchants on their way to and from the city. Harcourt served with the Bengal Infantry in India from 1855 to 1889. He found the Punjab Hills a particularly inspiring landscape for painting and drawing. In 1871 his book 'The Himalayan districts of Kooloo, Lahoul, and Spitti' was published, illustrated with lithographs from his drawings.

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