Harvard Art Museums > 1979.346.27: The King of Delhi, Descendant of a Schab, whose Eyes were Put out in Ld. Clive's Time when he was Delivered up to the English; from an Album entitled “Costumes of India” Albums Collections Search Exit Deep Zoom Mode Zoom Out Zoom In Reset Zoom Full Screen Add to Collection Order Image Copy Link Copy Citation Citation"The King of Delhi, Descendant of a Schab, whose Eyes were Put out in Ld. Clive's Time when he was Delivered up to the English; from an Album entitled “Costumes of India” (Lucknow Company School) , 1979.346.27,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, Nov 02, 2024, https://hvrd.art/o/216069. Reuse via IIIF Toggle Deep Zoom Mode Download This object does not yet have a description. Identification and Creation Object Number 1979.346.27 People Lucknow Company School, Indian (early 19th century) Title The King of Delhi, Descendant of a Schab, whose Eyes were Put out in Ld. Clive's Time when he was Delivered up to the English; from an Album entitled “Costumes of India” Classification Albums Work Type album folio Date c. 1800 Places Creation Place: South Asia, India, Northern India Culture Indian Persistent Link https://hvrd.art/o/216069 Physical Descriptions Medium Opaque watercolor on paper Dimensions 34.3 x 26.8 cm (13 1/2 x 10 9/16 in.) Acquisition and Rights Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Mrs. C. Adrian Rübel Accession Year 1979 Object Number 1979.346.27 Division Asian and Mediterranean Art Contact am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu Permissions The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request. Descriptions Commentary Label text from exhibition “Company to Crown: Perceptions and Reactions in British India,” April 8–October 15, 2011, curated by Maliha Noorani, 2009–11 Norma Jean Calderwood Curatorial Fellow, Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art, Harvard Art Museums: The King of Delhi, Descendant of a Schab, Whose Eyes Were Put Out in Ld. Clive’s Time When He Was Delivered up to the English; from an Album Entitled “Costumes of India” Lucknow, India, c. 1800 Opaque watercolor on paper Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Mrs. C. Adrian Rübel, 1979.346.27 “The King of Delhi” referenced in the painting, Shah Alam Khan II (r. 1759–1806), was blinded by Afghan Ghulam Qadir, who invaded Delhi in 1787. Qadir was not able to hold Delhi, however, and Shah Alam II continued to rule the city as a puppet of the British, who were not yet strong enough to claim dominance on their own, until his death in 1806. Part of an album of historical personalities, this painting reveals how the British wished to be perceived. The title “King of Delhi” in capital letters belies the wording below as well as the image above, subtly pointing to the king’s redundancy while amplifying the British position in India. Shah Alam II appears more as a humble ascetic than a Mughal king. Dressed simply and seated beside a Muslim tomb, he is perhaps in prayer. The spare setting and muted tones of the landscape lend an air of resignation. Exhibition History Re-View: S231 (Islamic rotation: 7) Company to Crown, Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Cambridge, 04/08/2011 - 10/15/2011 Related Works 1979.346 Lucknow Company School Album of Paintings entitled “Costumes of India” Albums Verification Level This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
