Made in 1846, the painting commonly known as ‘The Delhi Panorama’ by the famous topographical artist Mazhar Ali Khan is the finest artistic rendering of Shahjahanabad ever made. It also affords a unique glimpse into the heart of the imperial palace in the Red Fort before much of it was destroyed after the 1857 Uprising. The 360 degree view of Delhi along with its extraordinary detailing of the cityscape makes the panorama not just an important historical document but also the masterpiece of its artist. The 5-metre long panorama, which is in the collection of the British Library since 1981, along with all the Persian and Urdu inscriptions has never before been published complete. Its publication here is accompanied by essays that put the panorama in its historical and artistic context with a commentary on the inscriptions that brings it to life. The book will appeal to scholars of Indian history especially Mughal history; anyone with a deep interest in the art, architecture, and history of Mughal India; and all Dilliwallas.
About the Author
JP Losty was formerly curator-in-charge of the extensive Indian visual collections in the British Library in London. He has published many books and papers on many aspects of the painting of India from the twelfth to the nineteenth centuries. His major books include 'The Art of the Book in India' (1982), 'Calcutta City of Palaces' (1990), and 'The Ramayana' (2008). The paintings of late Mughal Delhi are central to his interests, and he has also edited a book titled 'Delhi from Red Fort to Raisina', which is on Delhi's journey from Shahajahanabad to New Delhi, and is contributing to the catalogue of the forthcoming exhibition on Delhi at the Asia Society, New York. His other forthcoming book (2012) is on the collection of Mughal paintings in the British Library.
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