‘Original Sketches in the Punjaub. By a Lady’ features views of prominent locations in Amritsar and Lahore. It was compiled from drawings by a woman (c.1852) whose identity remains unknown till date. All we know about her is, that she was ‘the wife of an Officer in the Queen’s Service now with his regiment in India.’
The compilation was published by Dickinson Brothers, ‘Her Majesty’s Publishers’ in 1854. If that name rings a bell, it is because they also published the pictures of the Great Exhibition of 1851.
A leather-bound copy of the published, hand-coloured lithographs rests in the collection of the British Museum. Of the twenty views, 13 feature places in Lahore.
Take a look at the pictures, with notes by the artist, compiled through different auction-sites.
Sheesh Mahal, Lahore Fort
“View of the Sheesh Mahal or Palace of Glass”. Today the Palace is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as part of the larger Lahore Fort Complex).
View: Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Palace
“A portion of Runjeet’s Palace.”
Tomb of Maharaja Ranjit Singh
“Tomb of Runjeet Singh, built on the place where his body was burnt with four wives & seven female slaves.”
The tomb lies adjacent to the Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque in Lahore. It overlooks the Hazuri Bagh, built by Ranjit Singh, to its south.
Badshahi Mosque, Lahore
“The Shah’s Musjid & walls of Lahore.” The Mughal-era mosque, located opposite of Lahore Fort, was commissioned by Aurangzeb.
Entrance to the Badshahi Mosque from Hazuri Bagh
“Entrance to the Shah’s Musjid, from the Huzooree Bagh.”
Fragment of the Lahore Fort.
“Fragment of the Old Mogul Palace”.
Entrance to the Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore
“Entrance to the Vizier’s Musjid”. This Mughal-era mosque was commissioned by the chief physician to the Mughal Court, Hakeem Ilam-ud-din Ansari (known by his royal title ‘Wazir Khan’).
Minarets of the Wazir Khan Mosque
“Minarets of the Viziers Musjid.”
Sone Wali Masjid near Golden Temple
“Sonowlee Musjid or Golden Temple.”
A Street in the City.
Biram Singh’s Tomb.
Chauburji Gateway, Lahore
“Ruin of a Gateway on the road to Mooltan (Multan).” Chauburji is located on Lahore’s Multan Road which leads southwards to Multan. The gateway is the last remnant of an extensive Mughal garden which does not exist today.
The Anarkali Tomb as viewed from the Multan Road (Lahore)
“Anarkullie, from the Mooltan Road”
Gobindgarh Fort, Amritsar
“The Fort of Govindghur, near Umritsir.” The fort served as the Military Headquarter of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and was named after the Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.
Entrance to the Golden Temple Amritsar from the Gate of Kotwali
“Entrance to the Holy Temple at Umritsir, from the Gate of the Kutwallee. (Kapany Collection)”
The Golden Temple Amritsar
“The Holy Temple”.
Akal Takht, Amritsar
“The Akalee Temple”. The Akal Takht was founded by Guru Hargobind Singh (the SixthGuru) in 1606 A.D.
The Kotwali from the borders of the Tank (Amritsar)
“The Kutwalee from the borders of the Tank.”
Baba Atal Gurdwara, Amritsar
“A Sikh Temple in honour of Baba Attull Raee, younger son of Hur Govind, 6th in descent of the Seikh Gooroos.”
