Plate Description:
Nos. XIX. AND XX. THE OBSERVATORY, AT DELHI.
These plates contain views of the GREAT DIAL, with many other mural instruments for astronomical purposes, situated at a short distance, southward from the walls of the city of Delhi.
Should it be thought these extraordinary works ought not to have been classed with the Antiquities of India, as it is believed by some that they were erected by Jaysinga [Jai Singh II (a.k.a. Sawai Jai Singh) of Amber and Jaipur (r. 1699–1743)], a Rajah of great reputation for his skill in the mathematical sciences, who lived in the 17th century, the Author hopes that the singularity, as well as the magnitude of such astronomical instruments, will be a sufficient apology for introducing them here.
Thomas Daniell and his nephew William Daniell were the leading painters and engravers of Indian architecture and landscapes in the 18th-19th centuries. They were the first English artists to produce topographical views of India in their “Views in Calcutta” in 1788. Their best-known work is the monumental series “Oriental Scenery,” comprising 144 large hand-colored aquatint engravings in six volumes, which was published in London over between 1795-1808. William Daniell published a second edition of “Oriental Scenery” in 1812-1816, called the Quarto Edition, which featured smaller uncolored aquatint engravings, including this example.
See also M.2010.158a-b, M.2013.137.1a-b, M.2013.137.2a-b, and M.2013.137.3a-b.
