BENARES (Maharaja of) [SINGH (Prabhu Narayan)].
Views of Benares from the River Side.
PRESENTED BY THE MAHARAJA
A rare album of photographs with printed captions depicting Benares, now known as Varanasi, in the Uttar Pradesh region of India. This attractive volume was specially produced and bound for presentation by the Maharaja of Benares to foreign dignitaries. Maharaja Sir Prabhu Narayan Singh (1855-1931) was ruler of the short-lived Indian princely state of Benares, subsequently ceded to the Union of India.
The views within comprise: Fort Ramnagar; Assisangam Ghat; Bhadaini Water-Works; Batsrai Ghat; Shivala Ghat; Kedar Ghat; Amrit Rao Chutter Ghat; Dhunroo Panth Ghat; Ranamahal Ghat; Munshi Ghat; Ahilya Bai’s Ghat; Dasaswamedh Ghat; Observatory of Manmandir; Lalta Ghat; Burning Ghat; Manikarnika Ghat; Ghosla Ghat; Minaret, Panchganga Ghat; Sumer Mandir Ramnagar.
The BL attribute the photographs to the royal photographer B. G. Bromochary. Their copy, however, is dated 1869 and described as containing 24 leaves of plates.
There appears to have been at least one other variant of the binding of this work, in black roan with different type and ornaments but the same title. That copy, which appeared at Tennants Auctioneers in 2021 also had a portrait of the Maharaja on the first leaf, not always present.
OCLC finds copies at BL, University of Indiana and Oxford only.
