The inside of the opium godown at Patna, showing a staircase rising on increasingly high arches - 1814.

Watercolour of the interior of an opium factory 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.

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 an interior view of the opium godown at Patna, showing a staircase rising on increasingly high arches. Inscribed below: 'Interior view of the same.'

Source : British Library