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Captain Claudius Harris and J Guiaud, The Ruins of Mandoo: The Ancient Mahommedan Capital of Malwah in Central India by J Guiand, of Nice from Original Sketches of captain Claudius Harris of 8th Madras Light Cavalry with Descriptive and Historical Notices, and an Appendix, London: Day and Son, 1860

6 tinted lithographed plates; contemporary full cloth bound with debossed gilt title and ornate pattern at the corners of the front board
50.4 x 34 x 1.5 cm

LIST OF PLATES
1. The Modern Village of Mandoo, and the Ancient Mosque the "Jumah Musjid" / 2. Front View of the Ruined Mosque, the "Jumah Musjid" / 3. The Jahaz Mahal" or "Water Place" / 4. Palace of the Sultan Baz Bahadoor, and Pavilion of Roop Muttee, his Queen / 5. The Marble Mausoleum of the Sultan Hoossain Shah Ghuree / 6. The Delhi Gate.

The ancient city of Mandu in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradesh was a place of historical and architectural significance. The existence of this fortress town can be dated as early as the 6th century, and it has been the site of many conquests and civilizations, including those of the Paramara Dynasty, the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals. These varying reigns saw the rise of splendorous architecture, such as Jami Mosque, Hoshang Shah's tomb, Jahaz Mahal, Baz Bahadur's palace and his paramour Roopmati's pavilion, and much more. The present lot - a set of six tinted lithographic plates by French painter J Guiaud based on sketches by Claudius Richard William Firth Harris, an amateur artist serving with the 8th Madras Light Cavalry 1845-60, - depicts these places in detailed illustrations. They were originally drawn in 1852 by Harris, who says in the preface of the book that “these Ruins are undergoing a perpetual process of rapid decay and consequent change of outward aspect”, commenting on the poor maintenance of these historical buildings at the time.

Reference: J R Abbey, Travel in Aquatint and Lithography 1770-1860, 490

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