A portrait of Takoji Holkar smoking a hookah under a canopy, India, Delhi, early 19th century

Gouache with gold on paper, inscription of identification in nast`aliq at upper centre "Takoji Howalkar Subedar", mounted on an album page with borders of stout cream paper decorated with gold flowers, reverse with an inscription in an English hand in brown ink (probably William Fraser's hand) "Tukojee Holker"

In the Collection of William (1784-1835) and James Fraser (1783-1856)
By direct descent to Malcolm R. Fraser Esq

Sotheby's London, 14 October 1980, lot 179

The Holkars were a ruling Mahratta clan from the Malwa region of Central India, and one of the pentarchy of Mahratta clans during their dominant period in the 18th century. Takoji was an adopted son of Malhar Rao Holkar and ruled briefly from 1795 to 1797, having acted for many years as military commander under Aliyabhai Holkar (r.1767-95). Although the Holkar homeland was a considerable distance south of Delhi, prominent members of the Holkar clan were resident at Delhi at this period and James Fraser records an evening during late August 1815 spent at a nautch of "Bawani Shunkar's, the old Bukhshee of Holkar, a fine and very gentlemanly old man" (James Fraser diary entry, see Archer and Falk 1989, p.37). This was a period of active commissioning and acquisition of paintings by the Fraser brothers, and it is possible that this portrait was acquired from the Holkar officer himself.