View of one side of the main street in the Indian city of Patna - 1814

Watercolour of street scene in Patna from 'Views by Seeta Ram from Patna to Benares Vol. II' produced for Lord Moira, afterwards the Marquess of Hastings, by Sita Ram between 1814-15. Marquess of Hastings, the Governor-General of Bengal and the Commander-in-Chief (r. 1813-23), was accompanied by artist Sita Ram (flourished c.1810-22) to illustrate his journey from Calcutta to Delhi between 1814-15.

Patna, located in Bihar along the southern bank of the Ganges river, was controlled by the British after the Battle of Buxar in 1764. The Chauk, the city's main street, a wide thoroughfare offered a beautiful view of the shops, temples and mosques. This view shows one side of the Chauk, with an elephant and carriage in the front. Inscribed below: 'Great Choke at Patna.'

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