Bird's eye view from above the Opium Godown at Patna - 1814.
Watercolour of a bird's eye view from an Opium Godown at Patna from 'Views by Seeta Ram from Patna to Benares Vol. II' was produced for the 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.
The British used Patna as a centre for manufacturing opium for exportation and medicinal purposes. The godown or store was located on the river bank and on the site of an old Dutch Factory. This is a bird's eye view from above the Opium Godown at Patna, showing the houses and their grounds to the west, with the Ganges on the right. Sitaram depicts himself sketching on the flat roof of the godown and shows the curve of the earth in the distant prospect. Inscribed below: 'Bird's Eye.- view from the Top of the Opium Godown across the River Ganges and Hazypore at a distance.' - British Library