Posted on: 9 October 2010

The facade of an 18th century building at Benares - 1814.

Watercolour of a building facade in Varanasi from 'Views by Seeta Ram from Benares to Nazibghur Vol. III' 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.
Varanasi (Benares) situated on the west bank of the Ganges river is one of the holiest cities in Hinduism. Varanasi, founded in the sixth century BC is one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus and is known as a tirtha, or ‘crossing place’ which allows the devotee access to the divine and where gods and goddesses can come down to earth. Varanasi has several hundred beautiful temples. This is an idealised facade of an 18th century building at Varanasi, the doorway and its surrounding wall filling the entire page. Inscribed below: 'Rajah Dussernauth's Mundell at Dusser Soomere near Benares.'

Source : British Library


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Lovely building. Georgian, but with a touch of what was going to become the more elaborate Regency architecture....seems to me to be on the cusp. Georgian is my favourite though...such clean lines. One of my late uncles built gorgeous buildings in England in the 19th Century. His name was Thomas Holmes. His father (my 5th g.grandfather), Lauret Holmes, was a marble mason. No wonder I love architecture...in the genes?!! :)) http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=50316 http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=50009

I can't get over this building....East meets West and a perfect blend. :))

Lynne : RBSI would be poorer without your constant cheerfullnesss. Thanks. : )

Thank you!! :))

You could plonk this building in the centre of London and it wouldn't look out of place, though, don't you agree? It's stunning...such a Georgian-like facade, with all those exotic Eastern touches...I would live in it!! :))