Lipoo Tree. Litzhur house at a distance. Barrackpore Park - Lithograph by William Prinsep 1827

Lithograph of a house and tree in Barrackpore Park at Barrackpore in West Bengal by William Prinsep (1794-1874) dated 1827. Barrakpore had been a military cantonment originally, but was changed to a park and proposed country residence for Governors-General by Marquis Wellesley as part of his improvement schemes for Calcutta and its surrounding areas. He also included a theatre, an aviary and menagerie within the extensive grounds, which were laid out in the 'English Style'.

source: British Library ( bl.uk )

Village with a small tulsi altar and a watercarrier with his bullock - Watercolour by William Prinsep 1840

Watercolour by William Prinsep (1794-1874), of a village in India with a small 'tulsi' altar and a watercarrier with his bullock, dated between the 1830s and 1840s. Watercarriers or 'bheesties' were a common sight in India. Those who used a bullock to carry their water containers were known as 'pukkallis'. Sometimes they were employed as servants to wealthy households but otherwise delivered water to the general population. At the time this painting was completed, they also served in the Army and were assigned to specific regiments during campaigns. They were often commended for their bravery under fire whilst carrying out their duties. William Prinsep, a merchant with the Calcutta firm of Palmer & Company, came from a family that served in India for several generations.

source: British Library ( bl.uk )

Two massive rocks of Oochar (Datia State). In the foreground a mounted trooper of the Dromedary Corps - Watercolour by William Prinsep 1818

Watercolour, attributed to William Prinsep (1794-1874), of two massive rocks at Orchha in Madhya Pradesh, dated 1818. The image is inscribed below: 'The Conical Rocks near Oochar. No. 2.' This view shows one of the rocks with two soldiers on the top and in the foreground a mounted trooper of the Dromedary Corps. Orchha, meaning 'hidden place', is situated near the Betwa river and the area is famous for its pinkish-grey granite outcrops of rock. Orchha's Fort complex contains the Raj Mahal , the Rai Praveen Mahal and the Jahangir Mahal.

source: British Library ( bl.uk )

The town of Oochar (Datia state) beneath its massive rock, with the fort and a mosque in the foreground - Watercolour by William Prinsep 1818

Watercolour, attributed to William Prinsep (1794-1874), of the town of Orchha in Madhya Pradesh, beneath its massive rock, with the fort and a mosque in the foreground, dated 1818. The image is inscribed below: 'The Fort and Town of Oochar. No. 1.' The area is famous for its pinkish-grey granite outcrops of rock. Orchha, meaning 'hidden place', is situated near the Betwa river. Orchha's Fort complex contains the Raj Mahal , the Rai Praveen Mahal and the Jahangir Mahal. The Raj Mahal is a medieval granite bridge built by Rudra Pratap and completed by Madhukar Shah. The Rai Praveen Mahal was built in the mid-1670's by Raja Indramani for his concubine. The Jahangir Mahal was built by Bir Singh Deo.

source: British Library ( bl.uk )

Belvedere House Alipur Calcutta ( Kolkata ) Watercolour by William Prinsep 1838

Watercolour of Belvedere House in Alipur near Calcutta by William Prinsep (1794-1874) dated c.1838. The watercolour is signed 'W.P.' and inscribed on the original mount: 'Belvedere House at Alipore, WP'. Charles Robert Prinsep was living at Belvedere in 1838 when this drawing was probably made. The Prinsep family bought the house in 1841 and sold it to the East India Company in 1854. It was then used as the official residence of the Lieutenant-Governors of Bengal and subsequently became the National Library.

Source: British Library ( bl.uk )