A view of the Diwan-i Khass in the Red Fort of Delhi, attributable to Kishan Das or Lacchi Ram, Kotah, 1842

pen or brush and black ink over black chalk, heightened with watercolour on paper, inscribed in devanagari script in black ink on the recto and verso 'mahalīdarbārā tagat....' and 'davanāt līma harīvanāt - pānubhūl pasanayovana tak banātāl'(?), laid down on buff paper

In fair overall condition, trimmed with losses to leaf edges, small split to middle lower right, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This detailed fragment is an architectural study for part of a monumental painting on cloth of Maharao Ram Singh of Kotah's official visit to Delhi in 1842. The finished work, measuring 44.5 by 25.9cm, is in the Rao Madho Singh Trust Museum, Kotah (see Welch et al. 1997, p.205, no.65) and depicts a dizzying panorama of the architecture of Delhi, including the Diwan-i Khass at the top centre of the painting. The present study corresponds exactly to this part of the finished work and can therefore be attributed to the same artists, probably Kishan Das and Lacchi Ram (see ibid). For a description of the visit itself see ibid, pp.35-36 and 205.