WD485

POSTANS, THOMAS (1808-1846)

Postans entered the Bombay Native Infantry in 1829. He was posted to Surat, Baroda and Poona, and from 1834 to 1839 was line adjutant at Bhuj in Cutch. He was known to be a keen amateur archaeologist and in May and June 1838 he was put on special duty to obtain facsimiles for James Prinsep of the inscriptions on the rocks at Girnar in Gujarat. In 1839 he became interpreter to the reserve force in Sind and assistant to the political agent at Shikarpur. He was held culpable for the disaster at Nufoosk in 1840 as he had advised that 400 infantry and 200 horse were sufficient to protect the convoy to Kahun against the Maris. In 1842 he was appointed to the Sind and Baluchistan Agency. In 1846 he was made Commissioner for laying down the boundaries between the States of Bikaner and Bahawalpur. He was involved in an enquiry into the deficiency of the Shikarpur treasury from which he was not exculpated until after his death at Deesa in 1846, when his widow was awarded £500.

Postans was a good linguist, knowing Hindi, Gujarati and Persian. He published’ A Panoramic sketch of Surat’ (1830), ‘Hints to cadets’ (London, 1842), ‘Personal observations’ ‘on Sindh’ (London, 1843) as well as a number of pamphlets. He read various papers to the Bombay branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. His wife, Marianne, was the authoress ‘of Cutch, or random sketches of western India (‘London, 1838),’ Western India in 1838, 2 Vols.’ (London, 1839) and’ Facts and fictions illustrative of Oriental character, 3 vols’. (London, 1844).

Postans appears to have shown throughout his career a somewhat naive enthusiasm which met with little encouragement from the Court of Directors. He offered to make a survey of Cutch, but the offer was declined. He asked permission to dedicate his book on Sind to the Company but was refused permission although the Court purchased 40 copies. He asked for help to publish his sketches of the scenery of India, but the Court regretted that it could do nothing. His careful and laborious facsimiles of the Girnar inscriptions were left to rot in a Calcutta godown, as James Prinsep had died in the meantime. Postans presented geological specimens to the Company's Museum and in 1844 he was paid £50 by the Company for his collection of drawings.

212 drawings and 11 lithographs (114 folios) depicting costume, occupations, scenery and buildings in Sind, Cutch and Bombay. 1830 to 1845.

The majority of the sketches are by Thomas Postans, but a few (e.g. f.76a) are by his wife, Marianne.

The lithographs are proofs from books published by Thomas Postans and his wife and were made from original sketches in this collection.

Many drawings inscribed with titles by artist.

Pencil, pen-and-ink, wash, water-colour, oil, pastel. Size of album 23.5 by 18 ins.; drawings varying from 1.75 by 2.5 ins. to 14 by 20 ins.

The majority of these drawings were purchased from Postans in 1844. A few (ff.80-83, 85, 87-106), made at Junnar, Nasik and Ellora in 1845, must have been acquired later; ff.107-111 were purchased 20 May 1933.

All but the last 6 drawings were mounted in a scrap-book some time during the 19th century. They were remounted in 1960, but the original order and all inscriptions were preserved. The last 6 drawings were then added to the scrapbook (ff.107-111).

f.1a ‘Viharas near Junagarh.’

f.1b ‘Buddhistical Viharas near Junagarh.’

f.2a Interior of vihara, near Junagarh. ‘near Junagarh.’

f.2b ‘View from the summit of Girnar.’

f.3 ‘Rock with inscriptions, Girnar.’

Original of lithograph in Marianne Postans, ‘Western India in 1838,’ ii, 46.

f.3v ‘Bulwunt Ras's Palace, Baroda.’

f.4 ‘Ancient Well in the Uparkot Junagarh.’

f.4v ‘View on the Sungum, Punah.’

f.5a ‘St Helena.’

f.5b ‘Ruins near Banda, northern Concan.’

f.6a ‘Ruined church of St Francis, Bassein.’

f.6b ‘Manura point and entrance to Karrachi.’

f.7a Sculpture ‘from ruins in Cutch. T. Postans.’

f.7b ‘Raising water from the Indus. N. 36.’ Camel and Persian wheel.

Original of engraving in T. Postans, ‘Personal observations on Sindh’ (London, 1843), 84.

f.8a ‘Copy of the Taj Muhal at Arungabad. Near Arungabad, a copy of the celebrated Taj. No. 12.’

f.8b ‘The 'Shah Sahib's' a charitable institution at Arungabad.’

f.9a ‘Rock with inscriptions near Girnar 1838 from the causeway’.

f.9b ‘Entrance from Scarp, Dowlatabad’.

f.10a ‘Bombay and Colabah’.

f.10b ‘Jumptee, or pleasure Boat of the Ameers of Sindh. T. Postans. 1840. No. 14.’

f.11a ‘Western Gateway ruins of Pura Gud in Cutch.’

f.11b Sculpture ‘from Jain Temple in Cutch.’

f.12 ‘Tomb near Bhooj shattered by an earthquake.’

f.13a ‘Ruins near the Runn of Cutch.’

f.13b ‘Biluchi armed & accoutred. Dumki Biluchi.’

f.14a ‘Brahmin’.

f.14b ‘Mendicant of Sindh’.

f.14c ‘Sindh irregular cavalry’.

f.14d ‘Wagaris, a tribe of huntsmen. Wahgeries. T.P. 1839.’ Original of lithograph in Marianne Postans, ‘Western India in 1838,’ i, 198.

f.15a ‘The common plough of Cutch.’

Adapted for engraving in Marianne Postans, ‘Cutch,’ 247.

f.15b ‘On the Nile, 1842’.

f.15c ‘Sehwan. Indus. T.P’. ‘from a picture by Fitzgerald.’

Original of engraving in T. Postans, ‘Personal observations on Sindh’, 230.

f.16a ‘Gateway, Hill Fort of Bolaree. Ruined gateway at Bolari in Cutch.’

f.16b ‘Mandavi in Cutch’.

f.17a ‘Ascent of Girnar.’ Flight of steps up the rock.

f.17b ‘Woman of Mandavie’.

f.17c ‘Falconer of the Sindh Amirs. No. 2. Falconer, Hyderabad.’

f.18 ‘No 8. Merce or great palace inside the Walls. From the ruins of Puragud in Cutch.’

f.19 ‘Ruined temple near Puragud, Cutch’.

f.19va ‘Seyud of the Brahuis Kilat. T.P. 1842.’

f.19b ‘Sindh Mendicant’.

f.20a ‘Method of fixing silver for Cutch workmanship.’

f.20b ‘The Saringa. Musical instrument and bow.’

Original of engraving in Marianne Postans, ‘Cutch,’ 185.

f.20c Landscape ‘near Surat’.

f.20d Sculpture. ‘Budhistical figure at Puttun near the Somnath’.

f.20e ‘A Sindhian of rank.’

f.21a Ruins ‘near Puragud in Cutch.’

f.21b Sculpture. ‘Male and female figures inserted in an outer wall. Girnar Temple. Said to be those of Rajah Bijya Seth & Ranee B. T.P. 1838.’

f.22a ‘Part of a Hindoo Temple at Barroda. Col. Welsh's plates would do for this if required. No. 13.’

f.22b’ Kylas or Paradise Cave of Ellora. 10 Feby’ 1830.

f.23a ‘Jharijah and Khanfutti - Cutch.’

f.23b ‘Cutch Jhareejahs. T.P. 1838’.

f.24a ‘Parsi and Parsi Priest of Bombay.’

f.24b’ Pillar from Interior of Temple. Girnar. T.P. 1838.’

f.24c ‘Gudya Pice.’

Original of engraving in Marianne Postans, ‘Cutch’, 22.

f.25a Landscape. ‘No. 18. Bhori Ghauts’. ‘View of part of the Bhore Ghaut. Deckan.’

f.25b Sculpture. ‘Male &female Figures near the Hathee Pug Girnar. T.P. 1838.’

f.26a ‘Prutumdass Mooltanee, Kurrachi. T.P. 1837.’

f.26b’ Native of Yarkhund.’

f.26c ‘Horse trappings of Punjaub.’

f.27a ‘Distant view of the Girnar.’

f.27b ‘No. 14. Inside of Kyles, Elora. Interior of Kylas, Ellora.’

f.28a ‘Aloe’.

f.28b ‘Native Palankeen.’

Original of engraving in Marianne Postans, ‘Western India in 1838,’ ii, 110.

f.28c Gateway and wall. ‘Puragud, Cutch.’

f.29a ‘Baba Khan's tomb near Broach.’

f.29b Sculptured roundel. ‘On the ceiling of a Jain temple at Girnar’.

f.30a Tomb of 'Datar Chelah' (Joseph Dykes), infant son of Major N.D. Ballantine. ‘'near Junagarh’.'

Original of engraving in Marianne Postans, ‘Western India in 1838’, ii, 144.

f.30b ‘Ruins of Bassein. No. 26. View from Bassein.’

f.31a Ruins ‘at Bassein.’

f.31b ‘No 12. Hindostn Seapoy in his native dress, with a couple of Mugdoon or gymnastic clubs.’

f.31c ‘Sindhians travelling on a camel.’

Original of engraving in T. Postans, ‘Personal observations on Sindh’, 109.

f.31d ‘No 15. Poor Leil Khan (Khakur) T.P. 1835.’

f.32a ‘Ascent of Girnar’. A European being carried up the rock.

f.32b ‘Sindh Peasantry. T.P. 1829. No. 20. Near Goojarat.’

Original of engraving in T. Postans, ‘Personal observations on Sindh,’ 282.

f.33a ‘Longwood, St. Helena.’ View of the house where Napoleon lived.

f.33b ‘Boats on the Indus’.

Original of engraving in T. Postans, ‘Personal observations on Sindh,’ 142.

f.33c ‘Cutch cart. T.P. 1837’.

Original of engraving in Marianne Postans, ‘Cutch,’ 25.

f.34a ‘No. 36. Gateway Beijapoor. The Bungy's gate, Bijapur’.

f.34b ‘Jain temple, Cutch’.

f.35a ‘Musical instrument used by snake-charmers’.

Original of engraving in Marianne Postans, ‘Cutch’, 233.

f.35b ‘Part of Female costume, Sindh’. A tunic and slipper.

f.35c ‘Object of worship with the 'Kaprias', Cutch, a sect of Jhogis at Mhurrin, Cutch.’

f.35d ‘Curious Excavation - Cutch.’

f.36a ‘Pensioned Guide highly celebrated during the Pindari war’.

f.36b ‘A Horse Dealer of Bombay. T.P. 1838. No. 23.’

f.36v ‘Rise of river Krishtna. Mahabuliswar’ ‘Hills.’

f.37 ‘Arab soldiers in the service of the Rao of Cutch. Arabs in the pay of H.H. the Rao of Cutch.’

Original of lithograph in Marianne Postans, ‘Cutch’, 135.

f.38a ‘The general run of Subaltern's Bungalows’. ‘My house at Baroda’.

f.38b ‘Ancient sword discovered in Cutch. Blade in length 30 inches’, with other measurements indicated.

f.38c ‘View on the Bassein river near Bombay’.

f.39a ‘Fisherman floating on an earthen pot. No. 4. Pullah Fisherman on the Indus. T.P. 1839. A tailpiece to a chapter wherever there may be space’.

Original of engraving in T. Postans, ‘Personal observations on Sindh’, 38.

f.39b ‘View On the Indus. No. 17.’

f.39c ‘A camp with tents, near Mahabuliswar’.

f.39va Sculpture. ‘From Jain Temple. Girnar. T.P. 1838.’

f.39vb ‘View of rock and boats. Syra from Aden’.

f.39vc ‘Native of Kattywar. T.P. 1838.’

f.40a ‘The Carpenter's Cave. Ellora. July 1830. Exterior View of Vishun Kurm cave temple. Ellora.’

f.40b ‘Cornice. From’ ‘interior of Jain Temple, Girnar. 2 Figures destroyed. T.P. 1838.’

f.41 ‘Seyud of Pisheen Valley’.

f.42a ‘Dowlutabad No 4. The Fortress of Dowlutabad on the road between Ellora & Arungabad.’

f.42b Temple and camp with tents. ‘Toka on the Godavary.’

f.42c Monument’ near Ahmednuggur.’

f.43a View. ‘On the Indus.’

f.43b ‘Curious sculpture at Girnar. Girnar (Marble brought from Guzerat).’

f.43c ‘Deck of Indus Jumpti. T.P. 1841’. Four men rowing with a giant oar

Also notes describing boat.

f.44 ‘Entrance doorway of the Palace. Mandavie in Cutch.’

f.45a Landscape with houses. ‘Gorabunder. Bassein river near Bombay.’

f.45b ‘Wild ass of the Desert of Cutch. 1835.’

f.46 Wall painting showing Rama, Sita, Laksmana, Hanuman and Ganesa. ‘Facsimile of a native painting. Amicable Meeting of Two Rajahs in the Hall of the British Residency at Anjor.’

Original of lithograph in Marianne Postans, ‘Cutch’, 223.

f.46v ‘No. 8. View of the whole range of hills at Ellora’.

f.47 ‘Rise of the Krishtna river. Mahabuliswar Hills.’

f.48a ‘Rajput Pilot of Mandavie, Cutch’.

f.48b ‘Banians of Mandavie, Cutch.’

f.49a ‘No.32. Temple & Tamarind Tree. T.P. 1832’

f.49b ‘Woman of Sindh’.

Original of engraving in T. Postans, ‘Personal observations on Sindh’, 20.

f.50a ‘Cutch minstrel.’

f.50b ‘Sketch of a dooly employed in the ascent of Girnar. T.P. 1838.’

Original of engraving in Marianne Postans, ‘Western India in 1838’, ii, 8I.

f.51a ‘No. 30. Arab soldier in the pay of the Guickwar Baroda. T.P.’

f.51b ‘A Nakhoda or Captain of an Arab Boat.’

f.51c ‘Brahooee Costume. T.P. 18’.

f.51d ‘Brahoi of Kilat.’

f.51va ‘Jain Priest’.

Original of lithograph in Marianne Postans, ‘Cutch’, 118.

f.51vb ‘Kurds.’

f.52 ‘Portrait of Barvajee, a Grassia Chieftain of the Province of Cutch. Portrait of a Jharijah of Cutch.’

Original of lithograph in Marianne Postans, Cutch, 131.

f.53a ‘A Native of Kandahar. Lieut. Postans. Bhooj. T.P. 1835.’

f.53b ‘Bombay Native Infantry & Light Cavalry.’

f.54a ‘Hindoo Soucan of Shikarpur. 1842. Hindu banker of Shikarpur in Sindh.’

Original of lithograph in T. Postans, ‘Personal observations on Sindh,’ frontispiece.

f.54b ‘Persian Moonshee.’

Original of lithograph in Marianne Postans, ‘Western India in 1838’, i, 256.

f.54c ‘No. 35. Natch Girl. T.P. 1839’.

f.55 ‘His Highness the Rajah of Cutch. T.P. 1835’. with autograph:’ Rao Daisuljee’.

f.56a ‘Russaldar of the Poonah Auxiliary Horse’.

Original of lithograph in Marianne Postans, ‘Western India in 1838,’ ii, 252.

f.56b ‘A Brahmin. T.P. Taken from the life.’

f.56c ‘No. 4. Native jugglers.’

f.57 ‘Saolab, a Burdi Biluchi, executed at Shikarpore, July 1839’.

f.58a ‘Hurcarrah Camel of Sindh. T.P. 1839. Biluch Hurcarrah camel of Sindh.’ Original of engraving in T. Postans, ‘Personal observations on Sindh’, 44.

f.58b ‘Biluch of the tribe of Boordi. T.P. 1842’.

f.58c ‘Tirheen Patan. T.P. 1842’.

f.58d ‘Sindh mendicant. T.P. 1839.’

f.58e A’ Bayragi on Pilgrimage.’

f.59a’ Biluch of the tribe of Jekrani. T.P. 1842’.

f.59b ‘Bankers of Shikarpur in Sindh.’

f.60a & b ‘Panoramic view of the town & British Camp of Bhooj, Cutch.’ Also a key to the picture. The house of Sir Henry Pottinger (Resident of Cutch 1825~36) is shown.

f.61a ‘Sketch of the City of Tuttah in Sindh.’ Also notes.

f.61b ‘No. 5. Hill fort in the Deckan.’

f.62a ‘Sindh Peasants coming into camp. T.P. 18?’

f.62b Sind Peasants; a man and a boy.

f.62c ‘No. 6. Hindoo Temple near Surat, near Sulpassah on the river Tapte’.

f.63 ‘Projection of Kumara Pal's temple (palace) Girnar’.

f.64a ‘Cutchi Horseman.’

Original of lithograph in Marianne Postans, ‘Cutch’, frontispiece.

f.64b ‘Parsi of Bombay’.

f.65a A Risaldar of the Poona Auxillary Horse. ‘Puna Horse.’

Tinted lithograph from Marianne Postans, ‘Western India in 1838’, ii, 252 (see f.56a).

f.65b ‘Wagris.’

Tinted lithograph from Marianne Postans, ‘Western India in 1838’, i, 198 (see f.14d).

f.65c ‘A Seyed Mercenary soldier in the pay of the Rao of Cutch’.

Tinted lithograph from Marianne Postans’, Cutch,’ 48.

f.66a ‘H.H. the Rao of Cutch.’

f.66b Toddy palm and toddy tapper.

Lithograph from Marianne Postans, ‘Western India in 1838’, frontispiece.

f.67a A Baluchi Jamadar, Karachi.

Tinted lithograph.

f.67b A Muhammadan Woman of Karachi.

Tinted lithograph (see f.84d).

f.68a A Baluchi soldier and Hindu trader of Sind.

Lithograph from T. Postans, ‘Personal observations on Sindh’, frontispiece.

f.68b ‘The attack on the Muris at the Surtaf pass 1840’.

Copy of R. Kirk, ‘Views of defiles and mountain passes in Affghanistan’ (London, 1841), plate 2

f.69 ‘Pass of Pir Chuttar Murri hills Cutchi’.

f.70a ‘Sketch in the Bolan pass.’

f.70b ‘Sindhian Natch Woman. T.P. 1839. Shikarpur’.

f.71a ‘Dhuli used at Girnar.’

Engraving from Marianne Postans, ‘Western India in 1838’, ii, 8.

f.71b ‘Persian Munshi.’

Tinted lithograph from Marianne Postans, ‘Western India in 1838’, 256 (See f.54b).

f.72 ‘Interior of the Temple of Somnath. 1838’.

f.73a ‘Ameers Nur Mahomed, Nasir Khan, and Mir Mahomed, late of Sindh, 1838.’

f.73b ‘View of temple with figures in the foreground, near Bhooj. T.P. 1841’.

f.74a ‘Horse trappings of the Punjaub.’

f.74b ‘A very fine natural cave on the Sands Kurrachi.’

f.74c Sculpture:’ Durga.’

f.75a ‘Hot spring near Karrachi.’

f.75b ‘Seapoy in native Costume’.

Tinted lithograph from Marianne Postans, ‘Western India in 1838’, i, 137.

f.76a ‘The Kamal, or Lotus, (Nelumbium Speciosa) Shikarpoor, April, 1840, M’.’P.’

f.76b Girnar Hill from the Uparkot, Junagarh, Kathiawar.

Lithograph from Marianne Postans, ‘Western India in 1838’, ii, frontispiece.

f.77a ‘Sketch of Mandavie’, with boats lying on the sand.

f.77b ‘Sindhian Minstrel. T.P. 1840.’

f.78 ‘Front view of the great Chaita Budhistical cave temple at Karli. Postans Nov 1844’. ‘ Recd from Secty 2nd Feby 1846.’

f.79 ‘Cave temple. No. 3. Teen Tal, Ellora. T.P. 1841’.

f.80 Sculpture:’ No. 4. Group in right hand centre compartment. Ravana ka kai, Ellora, Decr 1845. T.P.’

f.81 Sculpture: ‘5. Budh. Vishun Kurm, Ellora, T.P. 1845’.

f.82 Cave temple with sculpture. ‘Back portion of Ravana ka kai. Ellora. T.P. 1845. No. 1.’

f.83 Cave temple with sculpture. ‘No. 2 Front of Ravana ka kai. 13 Dec. 1845. T.P. Ellora.’

f.84a ‘Wandering Minstrels. No. 10.’

Original of engraving in Marianne Postans’, Cutch,’ 186.

f.84b ‘A woman of Hyderabad, Sind.’

f.84c ‘Biluchi minstrels.’

Original of engraving in T. Postans, ‘Personal observations on Sindh’, 323.

f.84d ‘Mahomedan Woman of Karrachi, Sindh, T.P. 1839.’

Original of lithograph f.67b.

f.84v ‘Boxers or Pedlars.’

f.85 ‘Bhudist cave. Head of the Nana Ghat. T.P. 1845. Inscriptions.’

f.86a ‘Tower near Surat. French tower’.

f.86b Deleted inscription: ‘View on the banks of the Taptee near Surat.’

Damaged inscription: (‘Previously this was the residence of the French Chie(f) (pret)tily situated on the South bank of the Tapt(ee)river) ... of a large garden and enclosure.’

f.86c Camp with tents near tomb. ‘ No. 7. Baux's Tomb, Surat’.

f.87 ‘Verandah of Bhudist Cave near Junir. 1845. 2.’

f.88 ‘Interior of large Vihara, Junir. T.P. 1845. 1.’

f.89 ‘Exterior of Bhudist Cave near Junir. (N) T.P. 1845. 3.’

f.89v ‘Interior of Bhudist cave temple. Junir. T.P. 1845. 4.’

f.90 ‘Bhudist temple. Junir. 1845. 5.’

f.91 ‘Dhagop in cave temple near Junir. 1845. 6.’

f.92 ‘Old cave temple near Junir. T.P. 1845. 7.’

f.93 ‘Sketch of Bhudist cave temple near Junir. 8.’

f.94 ‘Bhudist Cave temple near Junir. 1845. T.P. 10.’

f.95 ‘Idol in Bhudist Cave temple near Junir. T.P. 1845. 9.’

f.96 Exterior of a cave temple, probably at Junnar. Bombay. ‘8.’

f.97a ‘Pillar in cave temple. Junir. T.P. 1845.’

f.97b Sculpture. ‘Group from cave temple. Nassick. T.P. 1845.’

f.98 Cave temple. ‘Nassick. T.P. 1845. 8.’

f.99 Cave temple. ‘Nassick. T.P. 1845. C.’

f.100 Sculpture. ‘Nassick. T.P. 1845. D.’

f.101 Cave temple. ‘Nassick. T.P. 1845. D & E.’

f.102 Sculpture. ‘Nassick. T.P. 1845. F.’

f.103 Cave temple. ‘Nassick. T.P. 1845. G.’

f.104 Cave temple. ‘Nassick. T.P. 1845. H’

f.105a Sculpture. ‘Group at Nassick. T.P. 1845’.

f.105b ‘Viharas. Nassick. T.P. 1845. I’

f.106a Capital of a column. ‘Nassick. T.P. 1845. K.’

f.106b ‘Carving of stupa and attendant figures. Nassick. T.P. 1845. L’.

f.107a ‘Mahomed Hoossein, daroghar of Shikarpoor.’

f.107b A Sindhi’. T.P. 1839.’

f.108 ‘T.P. 1842. Belooch Chief.’

f.109 Portrait of Sindhi. ‘T.P. 1842.’

f.110 Two musicians.

f.111 Horse and rider.