Colourful Courtiers of Indian Maharajas 1930 Watercolour Painting
A 1930 watercolour painting of two colourful courtiers from the royal court of an Indian Maharaja. This beautiful watercolour is signed “B S Sonar”. The courtiers were often depicted in paintings, engravings, and photos, silently witnessing the royal court’s proceeding and spectacles. The depictions normally show the courtiers in their finery serving the maharajas.
The Indian Empire had over 600 princely states, each with its own maharajas, rajas, ranas, nawabs, etc. And with a host of less current titles as well. Further, each had their own royal courtiers dressed in all their finery and pompness. The maharaja definitely conjured up vision of grand splendor and opulence.
The Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh who regularly occupied 35 suites of the Savoy Hotel in London. The maharaja’s ceremonies and functions, such as durbars were quite common. The nobles would all be present in their finest clothing, usually none but the ruler was seated – on a solitary throne, with royal courtiers hovering closeby.
Did you know – the Nizam of Hyderabad sent his laundry out to be done, not in India but at a laundry in Paris, sent out regularly by the P&O shipping company.
Past posts – European Tourists At A Fort In British Era Poona, 1880 Photo., Wellington Lines Now Cooperage Road Bombay – 4 PCs 1900s., Northern View Of Tipu Sultan’s Bangalore Fort, 1794 Print., Opening Of The Madras Railway, 1856 Print
