DrawingsIndian19th century

The Maharajah of Kota, Members of Court, Attendants, and the Englishman James Tod

19th century

Description

The drawing depicts the Maharaja of Kota under a canopy. He holds a large shield in his lap and seated against a large bolster. The halo surrounding his head denotes his divinely-sanctioned rule, as well as his god-on-earth status. The attendants that surround him hold flywhisks, peacock feather fans, and large standards, all of which collectively signify the Maharaja’s royal status. The scene is filled with members of the royal court, each of them holding large shields in their laps. At the bottom right is a male figure with a black top hat, identified in the text as the Englishman, James Tod, an officer of the British East India Company. Rajput Style, Kota School.

Classification

Drawings

Medium

Ink and opaque white watercolor on paper

Culture

Indian

Century

19th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

20.2 x 32.5 cm (7 15/16 x 12 13/16 in.)

Provenance

Stuart Cary Welch (by 1969 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum. Notes: Object was part of temporary loan to Museum in 1969.