Photo 212/6(37)

Genre: Architectural Photography

View looking twowards the building known as the Lotus Mahal, showing the nine towers, with entrances in the form of multi-lobed arches. Probably a residence of the king or his military commander. Lyon's 'Notes to accompany a series of photographs prepared to illustrate the ancient architecture of Southern India' (Marion and Co., London, 1870), edited by James Fergusson, gives the following description of this photograph: '487 - Entering through any of the gaps now made by the falling of the wall, the enclosure is found cultivated with standing corn, so thick and high that nothing can be seen, and it is with no little difficulty that the top of one of the mounds, made by the falling of one of many buildings which formerly appear to have stood within the court, is reached; from this elevation, the two-storey building shown in the Photograph is seen; and on the left of this building, on the reverse side, the same tower as was represented in view 486. This building which is on the usual and favourite star-shaped plan of the Hindu, is a singularly pleasing and picturesque specimen of the mixed style of architecture. The lower storey was no doubt used as the private audience-hall of the Palace; the upper, as the private apartments of the King.' Another copy of this print at Photo 1000 (3135).