Set of two prints on Benaras

a) J D Harding after James Prinsep
View of Ugneswur Ghat, Benares
1831
Later hand-coloured lithograph on paper
9 x 12 in (22.86 x 30.48 cm)

Plate 1 from the first part of James Prinsep's 'Benares Illustrated'. Prinsep (1799-1840), an antiquary and colonial administrator was assay master at the Benares Mint between 1820-30. The lithographs published in this collection were based on his original sketches of the various views of the 'holy' city of the Hindus. 'This sketch was taken before the river bed subsided to its winter level, so that only the upper half of the steps of the Ghats is visible. Boats are compelled, at this season, to navigate on the opposite shore, in order to avoid coming in contact with the sunken piers and murhees (small temples) of stone. The minarets of the Madhooray Musjid are seen towering aloft from behind a massive stone house, nominally belonging to the Jypoor Raja, but tenanted by a family of Brahmans or Poojarees...About the centre of the drawing stands Ram Ghat, above which is seen a Bythuk or shaded terrace, where Sudanund Byas, a celebrated preacher, used to lecture to large congregations on the Vedanta...The white conical spire, with gilded Kulsa, belongs to the Jyn Mundil...'.(Source: British Library Board)

b) J W Giles after James Prinsep
View Westward from Ghoosla Ghat, Benares
1831
Later hand-coloured lithograph on paper
9 x 12 in (22.86 x 30.48 cm)

Plate 3 from the first part of James Prinsep's 'Benares Illustrated'. Prinsep (1799-1840), an antiquary and colonial administrator was assay master at the Benares Mint between 1820-30. The lithographs published in this collection were based on his original sketches of the various views of the 'holy' city of the Hindus. Of this view he wrote: 'The canopied Portico and Temple were built by Guhna Baee, a Marhatta lady, in honour of the Goddess Shunkuta Debee: there is a respectable attendance at the daily lectures at this shrine. On the right is the house of Punditayun, the widow of Bisumbhar Pundit, a Vakeel or Envoy of Nagpoor, who obtained a valuable estate in the Benares district from the bounty of Mr. Hastings...Further on are situated the rich Dewula on Munikarnika Ghat; and on the river's edge are seen one or two Murhees- chambers into which the sick are removed when at the point of death, that their sins to the last moment of existence, may be washed away by the holy stream'. .(Source: British Library Board)

With a descriptive text at the back of the plate.

(Set of two)

This work will be shipped unframed

NON-EXPORTABLE