In 1844 the daughters of Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe received a gift from their father. While working in India as the Governor-General's Agent at the Imperial court of the Mughal Emperor, Metcalfe assembled an album containing 120 paintings by Indian artists.
He wrote his own descriptive text alongside these paintings, and sent the precious 'Delhi Book' to his children in England. This cherished possession remained in the family for almost 150 years, and is now in the collections of the British Library, London.
Included in the Delhi Book is a spectacular painting, showing the Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah (1838-58), proceeding in state to celebrate the Muslim 'Id festival. Metcalfe accompanied the Emperor on this procession, and can be seen riding atop an elephant.
Most of the Delhi Book's paintings show monuments and houses in Delhi, some of which are no longer standing. Other entries include a portrait of the Mughal Emperor, and an Urdu poem composed by the Emperor and dedicated to Metcalfe.
It is a fascinating document on one man's life in 19th century Delhi, and a wonderful collections of Company drawings.
http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/findhelprestype/prdraw/asianprintsdrawings/delhibook/index.html
In 1844 the daughters of Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe received a gift from their father. While working in India as the Governor-General's Agent at the Imperial court of the Mughal Emperor, Metcalfe assembled an album containing 120 paintings by Indian artists.
He wrote his own descriptive text alongside these paintings, and sent the precious 'Delhi Book' to his children in England. This cherished possession remained in the family for almost 150 years, and is now in the collections of the British Library, London.
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