A lively study of an unruly elephant by a c1720 - 30 CE Kota Rajasthan by an artist who has skillfully captured the energy, movement & the playful power of a young elephant. From the Welch colln sold by Sotheby's. This distinctive style is typical of 17-18th century artists of the Kota atelier.

Fascinating! The WhatsApp University (used in India to describe people's education who peddle fake news or give incredible information) does throw up such interesting Memes which enrich my day. Like this one on the Mughal ruler Babur Hats off to the person who does such mind blowing research.

General Jean-François Allard with his family on the terrace of their house at Lahore. 1836 CE painting by Imam Baksh Lahori from the Welch collection sold Sothebys (£127,000) A former French Commander assigned to Sikh Army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Allard is seated here with his wife Banu Pan Dei.

A small, gem-like & exquisite c1617-18 CE portrait of the infant Mughal prince Shah Shuja signed by one of the greatest Mughal artists Abu'l Hasan from Welch collection sold by Sotheby's for £585,000. Single-figure portraits of infant or very young princes are a relative rarity in Mughal paintings.

c1710 CE Rajput painting from Mewar Rajasthan of the Mughal ruler Shah Alam Bahadur, also known as Bahadur Shah 1, who ruled from Delhi during 1707-12 with four of his sons sold by Sotheby's in June 2021 for £60,000. A soldier to the core, he spent only 4 days in palaces, rest in tents, fighting!

Home to about 15% of the world's population, mountains host around 50% of the world's bio-diversity. For its healthy development, 11th December is celebrated as the International Mountain Day So, this 19th century Pahari painting now at Salar Jung Museum of a Gaddi tribe, residents of the Himalayas

After warning Kamsa of his demise Narda flies out. c1820 CE Pahari painting from Kangra, Himachal Pradesh by Purkhu & sold by Christie's for $88,200 (March 22) A dispersed illustration from the 3-chaptered Harivamsa appended to the great epic Mahabharata which once belonged to the Raja of Nadaun

c2nd century figure of Hariti with Children From the ancient Gandhara region (Swat Velley) sold by Christie's on 22 March 2023 Integrated into Buddhism as a Yakshi from the Kushan Goddess Ardhokhsho, she is an indirect analogue to the Greek Goddess Tyche, Roman Fortuna, Hindu Shri & Persian Anahita

As the Poppies in my garden take root, I am reminded of this 17th century painting from Mughal India or Deccan India or Kishangarh, Rajasthan of an exquisite floral study of a 'Double Flowered Poppy' from the Edith & Cary Welch collection auctioned by Sothebys for £82,550 on 25th October 2023.

A Woman Lying on the Ground Venerating. From an album made for Colonel Antoine Polier in c1770 CE. Polier began his career in India as a Surveyor in the East India Company in 1758 before becoming Chief Engineer of Bengal Army at Calcutta & finally, Chief Architect for the Awadh Kingdom at Lucknow.

c1825 CE Company Painting of a 'Foxtail Millet' from the Welch collection auctioned by Sotheby's. Production of natural history paintings for British East India Company patrons began in the 1770s & were commissioned by Dr James Kerr, a Scottish surgeon at Bengal who arrived in India in 1772.

This c1660 CE luxuriant & highly important painting of 'Rao Jagat Singh of Kota, Rajasthan in his Garden' is a key milestone in the early development of Kota- Rajput School of Art. From the Welch collection sold by Sotheby's for £355,600.

And so, it has finally started to rain in Delhi. I hope the rainfall will improve the pollution levels from 'severe' to 'very poor' now! c1820 CE Pahari painting from Kangra, Himachal Pradesh auctioned by Sotheby's on 25th April, 2018. 'Lovers on a Terrace watching an approaching Storm'.

On the Birth Anniversary (Gurupurab), Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh religion, this c1770 CE painting from Lucknow or Faizabad now at Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Born at Nankana Sahib in 1469 CE, His words of 974 poetic hymns (Shabad) form the holy text book of Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib.

This poster, probably done in jest, is from an eating joint in Mumbai, India. Each line has a spelling mistake (Auto correct can't be the excuse here). Foul for Fowl, Amlet (Omlette) Sharma (Shawarma), Snake (Shake), Mitten (Mutton) Rooms (Rolls), Do not Urine Hear and the best one, Frank Farters!

From the family workshop of Nainsukh of Guler (Punjab Hills), Himachal Pradesh this c1790 CE Pahari painting of the 9th Sikh Guru Teg Bahadur ji from the Prahlad Bubbar collection. On His martyrdom on this day (24th November) at Delhi in 1675 CE.

The Village of Jeewah Moocuddum near Rania, Haryana, with William Fraser's Circle of Village Folk. c1816 CE Company Painting from the Fraser Album from the Welch collection sold by Sotheby's on Oct 25 for £444,500. The album depicts the characters & local life in Delhi and its surrounding areas.

Sufi Thursday. Two Sufis at a Prayer. c1785 CE painting from Deccan India that once formed part of the collection of the Marquess of Dufferin. Probably commissioned by an official of the East India Company or a French officer posted at Hyderabad. From the Welch collection sold by Sotheby's.

Turkey is forgiven on Thanksgiving, the Harvest festival. This c1612 CE painting by Mansur, made for Mughal ruler Jahangir & now at Victoria & Albert Museum is a record of arrival of exotic birds at Cambay Port It was procured by Jahangir's friend Muqarrab Khan in 1612 from a shipment from America.

Exotic Farangi Ladies c1825 CE painting by Chokha of Udaipur combines a variety of Indian, Far-Eastern & European inspiration into a memorable composition filled with multitude of curious details epitomising the concept of Farangi in Indian art From Welch collection sold by Sotheby's for £203,200

World Heritage Week 'The Interior of the Cave Temple at Karli' Situated between Bombay & Pune in Maharashtra, this rare painting of the dramatic Buddhist sanctuary was made by William Westall in 1804 CE. From the Cary Welch collection sold by Sothebys on 25 Oct, 2023 for £38,100.

World Heritage Week This 1815 CE Company Painting 'Taj Mahal by Moonlight' by Sita Ram commissioned by the Marquess of Hastings & Gov. General of India at Calcutta, Bengal during his tour from Barrackpore to the Himalayas via Delhi From the Welch collection sold by Sotheby's on 25 Oct for £482,600

Me: Here, pour your drink in a glass. She: No, I prefer to drink straight from the bottle! Cheers to women empowerment. This c1850 CE Sikh style painting from Amritsar or Lahore is now at Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Ok guys, Don't get carried away. Drink responsibly.

Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Bijapur, Deccan Riding his favourite Elephant Atash Khan Attributed to artist Farrukh Beg, this c1600 CE Deccani painting from the collection of Edith & Stuart Cary Welch (acquired by them from Sven Gahlin, 1975) was auctioned by Sotheby's on Oct 25, 2023 for £571,500

A superb 1816 CE Company Painting from the Fraser Album of 'An Assembly of Village Elders with William Fraser's Munshi & Diwan', Delhi or Haryana, from the Edith & Cary Welch collection auctioned by Sotheby's on Oct 25 for £952,500 The top portion identifies each one of them in Fraser's handwriting

A Woman Worshipping the Rising Sun. c1810 CE Rajput painting from Devgarh, Rajasthan now at Cleveland Museum of Art. Attributed to artist Chokha (active 1799-1824). To those celebrating, a Happy Chhath Puja, dedicated to Sun-God Surya, to thank Him for bestowing the bounties of life on earth.

Caturday Once More! 'A Study of a Domestic Cat'. c1845 CE from Lucknow, on paper watermarked 'Morbey & Saunders 1842' from the S C Welch collection auctioned by Sotheby's on 25 Oct 2023 for £15,240. The manufacturer, located at 13 George Street, Mansion House, London was a Banknote manufacturer.

B N Goswamy, 90, the doyen of Pahari art, passed away this morning His demise leaves behind a void, a vacuum which won't be filled soon His favourite: 'The Trumpeters' c1740 CE by Nainsukh of Guler, Himachal Pradesh who made this at Jasrota, Jammu (Punjab Hill States) Now at the British Museum

'Prince Dara Shikoh with a group of Holy Men'. This c1635 CE Mughal painting from Agra, India attributed to artist Govardhan & from the collection of Edith & Stuart Carry Welch was auctioned by Sotheby's on 25 Oct 2023 for £762,000 against an estimate of £350,000. Sufi Thursday.

Outstanding results from the Edith & J C Welch sale by Sotheby's on 25 Oct. This 1777 CE Company Painting of 'A Spotted Mounia & a Purple-Rumped Sunbird on Flowering Branch with Butterflies, Caterpillar, Beetle & Centipede' by Zayn al-Din from Impey Album, Calcutta, fetched £762,000 (est. £200,000)

November 14th is the Birth Anniversary of the 1st Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru & is celebrated as Children's Day in India. So, posting this lovely c1730 CE Pahari painting from Basohli, Jammu now at British Museum of 'Two Children Playing'.

One of the earliest works by the artist Nainsukh of Guler HimachalPradesh this c1760 CE Pahari painting of "DiwaliCelebrations at a Court" is now at British Museum. Diwali comes from Sanskrit 'Dipa' (Lamp) & 'Avali' (Rows). Its celebration marks the beginning of the Indian New Year, Samvat 2080.

'Lord Krishna Lifts Mount Goverdhan' to shelter the residents of Braj from a deadly storm sent by God Indra, the Lord of Storms. This incident is celebrated as Goverdhan Puja, a day after Diwali. c1700 CE Pahari painting from Mankot (Ramkot) near Jammu and now at Philadelphia Museum of Art, USA.

Royal Women Celebrating Diwali. c1760 CE Mughal painting from Lucknow, Awadh, Uttar Pradesh now at Cleveland Museum of Art, USA. Diwali comes from Sanskrit 'Dipa' (Lamp) & 'Avali' (Rows). This festival is a celebration of the Hindu New Year. Happy Diwali to those celebrating today.

2nd cent sculpture of Sri Lakshmi, Goddess of Abundance, from Jamalpur, Mathura, UttarPradesh from the collection of National Museum, New Delhi & now on display at the 'Tree & Serpent' exhibition of Early Buddhist art in India at The Metropolitan Museum of Art Happy Dhanteras to those celebrating.

Oh, dear me! Look, no stars in the sky. Visibility is so low. Delhi pollution has returned!!! c1780 CE Rajput painting from Kishangarh, Rajasthan now at Harvard Art Museums, USA. 'Radha & Krishna on a Terrace'.

Licence-for one Male Servant! After the last post on Prostitutes, another document from the same collection which documents the inhuman part of mankind's history. This 'Licence' to keep a Male Servant for the calendar year was issued on 27th January, 1885 CE for 15 Shillings (1 £ = 20 Shillings)

Registration of a Prostitute! A fascinating document from the collection of Sunil Baboo of Bangalore, India. This document in French was issued in 1841 CE to one Ms. Sophia, aged about 25 years, from the village of Liege, France. A sad chapter in human history but then, that is how it is.

Dressing up for an important meeting. c1700 CE Pahari Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) painting from Kullu, HimachalPradesh now at Victoria and Albert Museum, London (purchased from Michael Rothenstein in 1953 for £300). From an illustration to the Vagala Raga musical mode. Good morning everyone.

Sundays be like... A Nayika (Lovelorn Lady)Bathing. c1770 CE Rajput painting from Bundi (probably) Rajasthan on Sothebys sale of 25 Oct 2023 (estimated at £10,000 but unsold) Such themes were very popular in Rajasthan during this period.

A Kite Maker. With mechanisation now, the art of making hand-made kites is almost dead As a child I used to see kite-makers in all the streets of Delhi. Now, its been decades since I saw one This c1850-70 CE Company Painting of a Kite Maker' from Benaras, India is now at Victoria & Albert Museum

This Company Painting of a 'Spot-billed or Grey Pelican' dated 1780 CE, by artist Shaykh Zayn al-Din of Patna & from Impey Album of Lady Impey, wife of East India Company Chief Justice at Calcutta, Bengal was sold by @Sothebys on 25 Oct 2023 for £787,400 Formerly the property of Jacqueline Kennedy.

This c1708 CE Rajput painting from Udaipur, Mewar, Rajasthan, India of Maharana Amar Singh II was sold by Sotheby's on 25th Oct 2023 for £25,400 Attributed to the 'Stipple Master's who used an European influenced form of 'Grisaille' or, 'painted drawing' which leaves the buff-background uncoloured.

Do you know, Samhainophobia is the fear of the Irish festival Halloween, which is celebrated by dressing up, amongst others, as fictional characters This 18th century Pahari painting from Basohli, Jammu, India of 'Archer with the Head of a Horse & Face of a Man,' is now at Harvard Art Museums, USA.

Lord Rama finally defeats the 10-Headed Demon King of Sri Lanka, Ravana The culmination of the great epic Mahabharata, a sacred book of the Hindus is being celebrated today as Dussehra This c1780 CE Pahari painting from Guler, Himachal Pradesh of 'The Great Battle' is now at National Museum, Delhi.

On Maha Navmi (yesterday) Goddess Durga, who personifies the sum total of powers of all male Gods combined defeated Buffalo Demon Mahisha, marking end of the 9 days of fasting (Navaratri) c1710 CE Pahari painting from Nurpur, HimachalPradesh now at Cleveland Art Museum depicts Durga slaying Mahisha.

Good morning post from India. 'A Nayika at her Toilette'. c1690-1700 CE Pahari painting from Mankot (Ramkot) near Jammu now at Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. The 'Takri' inscription on top reads 'Pari Mangalam' (Auspicious in every Respect) or 'Paga Mangalam' (Auspicious Foot).

Just checking my shopping list before I head to the supermarket. This 18th century Pahari Indian Miniature Painting from Mankot (now Ramkot) near Jammu is now at the Government Museum of Art, Chandigarh, India.

Majnun (or A Wandering Dervish). c1630 CE painting by Goverdhan, son of artist Bhawani Das & active 1596-1645 at the Mughal ateliers at Agra On Sotheby's sale of 25 Oct 2023 for £60,000-80,000 Inscribed 'We & Majnun were fellow travellers in the pain of madness' For Israel & Palestine war victims

'Mystic & Devotees at a Campfire'. This 17th century Mughal painting by Payag is on Sotheby's sale of 25th Oct 2023, estimated at £30,000-35,000. Payag, active from 1591-1658 CE, was the brother of Balchand & worked in ateliers of Akbar, rebel Prince Salim (at Allahabad) and, Emperor Shah Jahan