The view of the Red Fort with the Shah Burj, the Saman Burj and Asad Burj across river Jumna
| Support Type: | Paper |
| Paint Type: | Watercolor |
| Current Location: | Bonhams Auction House, London, New Bond Street under the category of Islamic & Indian Art |
Ghulam Ali Khan was a well-known Indian painter from the nineteenth century.He was skilled in blending Mughal painting traditions with the detailed European artistic style.One of his paintings from 1854 depicts the grand eastern view of Delhi’s famous Red Fort, as seen across the tranquil Jumna River.The painting begins with colorful shorelines, along with small human figures and an elephant positioned in the foreground, helping the viewer to look across the still water.There is also a boat on the river with people on it, highlighting the river's importance for transportation in the capital city.Above the water, the massive red sandstone walls of the fort stand out, with white marble structures, golden domes, and a unique octagonal tower known as Musamman Burj, all set against a light blue sky. The Red Fort housed royal palaces, gardens, and a special water channel called "Nahar-e-Bihisht" or "River of Paradise," which ran through the complex.This channel was actually a system of waterways from the Yamuna River, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648.Its purpose was to provide cooling to the palace buildings and enhance their beauty.Ghulam Ali Khan's painting captures this landscape effectively, showcasing the warm red sandstone, cool green trees, white marble, and calm water all arranged together to reflect Delhi's rich historical heritage.
Sources: