Rajrajeswaree Ghat, Benares - 1832

Plate 5 from the second part of James Prinsep's 'Benares Illustrated'. Prinsep (1799-1840), an antiquary and colonial administrator was assay master at the Benares Mint between 1820-30. The lithographs published in this collection were based on his original sketches of the various views of the 'holy' city of the Hindus. Of this view he writes: 'The facade of this building is a good specimen of the mixed style of Hindu and Moorish architecture; the former is observable in the lower half of the central compartment, while the projecting stone gallery with its parapet...and the domed octagonal...at the two corners, giving relief to the rectangular pavilion in the centre, are seen to be essentially Moorish from the character of the pillar, and scalloped arch...The ghat takes its name from an ancient temple to Debee under the appellation of the Rajarajeswuree "queen of queens"...'.

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