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Design for a Monument to the First Punjab War, 1845-46

Image courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Arts | CC0 1.0

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Date

c.1846

Artist

Unknown Artist (British School) (19th Century)

Collection

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Image Link

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/732609

Description

This design must have been conceived after the Treaty of Lahore (March 9, 1846) ended the First Punjab War, with territory in northwest India ceded from Sikh princes to the British East India Company. A large sculptural panel on the front of the lower level commemorates the Battle of Sobraon (February 10, 1846), a conflict where British and Bengali troops prevailed, and their Sikh opponents lost half their force in intense hand-to-hand fighting. An oblique panel at right, identified by a partial inscription, represents the Battle of Moodkee (December 18, 1845) at the start of the war. No related monument seems to have been built, probably because funds were needed to fight the Second Punjab and Crimean Wars (1848-9, 1853-56). The designer has not been identified but was influenced by Nelson’s Column (1840-43), recently erected in Trafalgar Square and prominently adorned with battle reliefs and recumbent lions. Medium: watercolour and pencil, heightened with white gouache.

Image Licence

CC0 1.0

Image Credit

Image courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Arts

Location

England

Country

Tags

Monuments
Parks
War

Category

Buildings & Architecture

Glossary
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© 2024 Watercolour World | Technology by The Museum Platform

© 2024 Watercolour World | Technology by The Museum Platform