Lot 181: William Carpenter (British, 1818-1899) Maharajah Jaswant Singh of Bharatpur (reg. 1853-93), aged three, seated with the Regent, Saval Singh

oil on canvas, signed and dated 1853 l.r., inscribed in Devanagri script His Highness Branjindia Sawai Sir Jaswant Singh GCSI on the knees of Saval Singh and in English painted by William Carpenter
165 x 116 cm

William Carpenter (1818-99) was born in London, and lived for a long time in India. He showed his works in many London galleries, including the Royal Academy, Suffolk Street, The British Institution and the Grafton Gallery between 1840 and 1853. The Victoria and Albert Museum holds a large number of his works.

The state of Bharatpur occupies an area of Rajesthan that borders Madya Pradesh. This are is largely occupied by the Jat people. During the 17th Century, the Jats of this region became a major military force. Leaders like Badan Singh brought the Jats together and his successor Suraj Mal, who was the greatest ruler of Bharatpur. Raja Suraj Mal built the Bharatpur Fort in 1732, he also united with the Marathas and helped them to occupy Delhi.