Photo 1002/13(643)

Photograph of group of casts taken from buildings and showing carved decorative patterns and features. The India Archaeological Proceedings for September 1891 gives a list of the subjects of 139 plaster casts of architectural details from Fatehpur Sikri, made by E. W. Smith in 1890-91. In a letter dated 31 July 1891, J. Woodburn, Chief Secretary to Government, North-Western Provinces and Oudh to the Government of India, dated 31 July 1891, writes that:

'Mr. E. W. Smith of the Archaeological Survey during his last cold weather tour prepared a large number of moulds of the decorative architecture in various buildings at Fatehpur Sikri, and the Managing Committee of the Provincial Museum at Lucknow are now engaged in making casts from these moulds.

2. It is reported that whilst casting is in progress, copies of the moulds could be prepared for other Indian, Home and Colonial Museums at a slight additional cost, and I am directed to mention this to the Government of India, in case they may desire to bring these casts to the notice of other Museums in India, England or the Colonies ... The casts vary in size from 1 to 3 feet, and a complete set of them can be obtained for Rs. 150.'

This was followed on 4 September 1891 with a circular from the Government of India, describing the collection and noting that 'It is proposed to take photographs of typical specimens of the casts; and, if this proves feasible, copies will be forwarded in illustration of the lists.' On the same day, J. W. P. Muir-Mackenzie, Under-Secretary to the Government of India wrote to the Government of the N. W. Provinces and Oudh, to inform it that:

'I am directed to inform you that in pursuance of your suggestion lists of the casts of Architectural decorations have been forwarded to the Local Governments and to the authorities in England and the Colonies who have been asked to ascertain whether a supply will be required for their museums or similar institutions. In the meantime I am to suggest that, with the permission of His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, Mr. Smith, Architectural Surveyor, may be allowed to photograph a typical set of casts, and that the negatives may be forwarded to the Survey of India Department, Calcutta, for reproduction by suitable process. The photographs as reproduced would be circulated to the authorities already supplied with the lists and would enable them to make a satisfactory selection in the event of their being indisposed at once to take a full set. A few sets of the photographs when received should be supplied to the Government of India.' (India. Revenue and Agriculture Proceedings (Archaeology), IOR/P/3908).

Prints 643-646 are presumably part of the series of photographs made. Whether a larger set was prepared has not been established.