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The Divan-i Khass in the Palace in the Delhi Fort, the red awnings and ‘shamianas’ fully rigged, a scene of vigorous activity beneath as a palanquin is prepared for the Emperor’s departure, with various figures going about their duties.

By Ghulam ‘Ali Khan, 1817.

Inscribed beneath in ink in Persian: ‘‘amal-i Ghulam ‘Ali Khan musavvir fidvi-i Muhammad Akbar Shah Padshah Ghazi san 11 panjum mah-i shavval’ (the work of Ghulam ‘Ali Khan the painter, in the 11th year of Akbar Shah, 5th day of the month Shavval); and under the appropriate buildings from the left: ‘‘aqb-i hamam’ (back of the baths); ‘naqsha-i anjuman-i Divan-i Khass dar darul khilafah Shahjahanabad’ (the body of people in front of the Divan-i Khass)’; tasbih khana’(the emperor’s prayer chamber on the south of the latter)’; hamam andrun-i mahall-i mubarak’ (baths within the private part of the palace)’; jalau khana’ (entrance hall on the extreme right)’; burj musamman’ (on the golden dome). On the reverse is a faded inscription in English: ‘Diwan Khass in the King’s Palace ....’

Water-colour and body-colour heightened with gold, on laid paper, 496 by 736 mm; within painted frames and laid down on a stiff Indian card, 55 by 76 cm.

Part gift of Dr. William K. Ehrenfeld. Provenance: from the collections at Stokesay Court, Shropshire, sold Sotheby’s 29th September 1994.

Note: A very similar painting is in the V & A, slightly unfinished, at 03538(IS) (Archer, ‘Company Paintings’, p. 139).