Bonhams Auction House, London, New Bond Street under the category of Islamic & Indian Art
Ghulam Ali Khan was a well-known artist from the nineteenth century who worked during the Mughal period.He was famous for creating detailed drawings of buildings and portraits that were commissioned by both Mughal kings and British individuals.One of the key buildings he illustrated was the Tusbee Khana, also called the Tasbihkhana.This room was part of the Khas Mahal inside the Red Fort in Delhi.It was located to the south of the Hall of Audience and was connected to the private living areas for the royal family.The Tusbee Khana had three rooms and faced the Diwan-i-Khas.Originally, it was used for private worship.The northern wall had a marble screen showing the scales of justice above a crescent, stars, and the sky, all surrounded by floral designs.These symbols of justice, which included the scales and sword blades, had a Western look.This suggests that European architects may have played a role in designing the royal buildings in Delhi and Agra.Later, the room was used for private audiences.During times of political unrest, a small gold gate was added to let secret messages reach the emperor quickly while keeping him safe from unexpected attacks.The room also contained the emperor’s throne, where he sat cross-legged on a long round cushion and two smaller ones for his knees.On September 23, 1837, the emperor was seated on this throne at midnight, and he was guarded by Captain Thompson, a respected engineer who later helped capture the Fortress of Ghuznee during the British campaign in Afghanistan in 1839.These detailed historical accounts, along with artwork by artists like Mazhar Ali Khan, are kept in the album "Reminiscences of Imperial Delhi," which was compiled by Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe, who served as the Governor-General’s Agent at the imperial court.
Ghulam Ali Khan's The Tusbee Khana masterfully captures the grandeur of Mughal architecture while revealing the quiet rhythm of courtly life through meticulous detail and balanced composition.
The artist's precise perspective, delicate brushwork, and subtle use of colour create a harmonious scene that reflects both architectural sophistication and cultural refinement.
The painting serves as a valuable historical document, preserving the elegance of nineteenth-century Mughal interiors while demonstrating Khan's exceptional skill in blending realism with artistic sensitivity.
