Rare paintings trace capital’s history, legacy
Tracing the journey of Delhi since it became the capital of the Mughal Empire under Shahjahan to over 200 years later when it was made the capital of British-ruled India, an exhibition of pictures and illustrations, organised by the city government, was inaugurated by Union minister for culture Kumari Selja on
Thursday, the day on which the foundation of Delhi was laid 100 years ago.
The exhibition showcases the magnificence, culture and legacy of Delhi since 1638, when it was given the name Shahjahanabad, to 1911 when King George V proclaimed it as the new capital of imperial India.
Chief minister Sheila Dikshit, who was also present on the opening, said, “The beautiful and historical pictures (on display) represent Delhi even beyond the last 100 years and today’s constantly emerging Delhi. Today, we can’t even imagine what Delhi was a hundred years ago.”
One of the rare works on exhibit is a five-metre-long watercolour painting by Indian artist Mazhar Ali Khan called Panorama of Delhi which shows a 360 degree intricate view of the city from Lahore Gate of the Red Fort. The painting, which was made in 1846 and is known as the finest ever artistic rendering of Shahjahanabad, was acquired from the British Library in London.
Apart from a huge map of ancient Delhi at the centre of the exhibits, there is an oil painting of the Delhi Durbar, a picture showing India’s last governor-general C. Rajagopalachari receiving a hug from Lady Mountbatten, a watercolour of Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar in his twilight years, and a photograph of a mob’s pulsating cry for independence, among others.
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