Posted on: 23 November 2012

Nawab Mubarak al-Daula of Murshidabad (1770-93) enthroned in durbar, with the British Resident, Sir John Hadley D'Oyly, and the Nawab's son, Babur 'Ali - 1795

Watercolour of the Nawab Mubarak al-Daula of Murshidabad (1770-93) enthroned in durbar, by an anonymous artist working in the Murshidabad style, c. 1790-1800. Inscribed on the back in ink and pencil: 'Nabob's Durbar and reception of the English Resident at Morshedabad'.

Murshidabad is situated on the banks of the Bhagirathi River, north of Calcutta in West Bengal. In 1704, the Nawab of Bengal transferred his capital here from Dacca; in 1757 a series of military disputes between the Nawab and the English East India Company resulted in the rise of English supremacy in Bengal. Although the town of Murshidabad continued to house the residence of the Nawab, it was no longer a place of political power. This drawing depicts the Nawab at durbar with the British Resident, Sir John Hadley D'Oyly. The Nawab's son, Babar 'Ali and a minister are also seated near the Nawab on European chairs. Sir John Hadley D'Oyly was the East India Copany's Resident at the Murshidabad court from 1780 to 1785.

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my ancestor in state

Splendid gathering.

Sir John Hadley D'Oyly, sixth baronet, was the father of Sir Charles D'Oyly, seventh baronet - who also fashioned a career for himself on the Indian sub-continent and is mainly remembered for his talent as an artist. The RBSI has featured examples of his work on more than one occasion.

Can someone Throw some light on what was the Court Language ?

Persian of course

As the undivided Bengal's capital had shifted from Dacca to Murshidababd, I think the language remained bengali.

This is not a durbar but a less august gathering or an alfresco durbar if you will as the nawab and the resident are sitting at par.

Yes DSK. This is actually the reception of the resident, Sir John Hadley D'Oyly to Murshidabad. Also seated is the nawab's son, babr Ali.

Yes, Julian, Sir Charles D'Oyly is better known in now Bangladesh than in India. D'Oyly got the first important post in 1808 when he was appointed as the Collector of Dacca. During that period, he drew various types of pictures, especially the Mughal ruins. He decided to publish the drawings relating to Dhaka in the form of folio. In subsequent years, he became the Customs Collector in Calcutta and held other posts in Bihar.

Arindam : Indeed... Sir Charles D'Oyly was also considered a rather impertinent if amusing satirical commentator upon the Calcutta society of his time... If you have not read his slightly scurrilous ' Tom Raw, the Griffen ~ A Burlesque Poem in Twelve Cantos' (London: 1828), you should really find the time to do so !

The Hindu style throne is most fascinating. The Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab also had such a throne.

Burleque ?

Yes D.S.K - as in - " Burlesque. Noun: A parody or comically exaggerated imitation of something, esp. in a literary or dramatic work." ... I can't imagine any other sort of, er, ' performance art form' that you might have been thinking of ?

Amazing facts & wonderful paintings.

No Julian, have not read that yet but aware of it through reviews. Do recollect, that we discussed this earlier about a season back. Will do it now, thanks.

DSK, you seem to thrive on 'thrones', both past and present. :). But jokes apart, you describe a King's court pretty well. Impressed.

Arindam: 'Tom Raw, the Griffin' was posted on RBSI during its early days...when we were exploring the marquee titles among rare books. Will post it once again...

Thanks RBSI !!!

At least one D'Oyly is buried in Park Street Cemetery Calcutta, and the Beatrice D'Oyly, the wife of Hastings Hadley D'Oyly, an officer of the penal colony of Andamans was murdered by her convict servant for calling him "son of a pig". She rests in Port Blair cemetery...

A village in Port Blair is named D'Oylygunj...mispronounced "Dollygunj " today...

In the same vein Boileuganj in Agra is now known as Baluganj and Forbesganj in Bihar is pronounced as Farbisganj !

We also have Cadellgunj, Wimberlygunj, Ferrargunj, Tytler's Ghat etc., all corrupted beyond recognition..

And of course Khasganj of the legendary Gardners!

The style and manner of dress of the courtiers has undergone a complete change in today's prevailing times with headgear absolutely becoming obsolete save for the sherwani (yellow) and churidar of the gentleman standing in right (with a sword and a shield) and also of Hindu sadhus on the extreme left with their beads of rudraksh and matted locks.