Five Recruits: Ummee Chund, Indur, Goolzaree, Bukhtawur and Juhaz

Maker(s)
Artist: Attributed to the family of Ghulam Ali Khan (active 1817–1855)
Historical period(s)
ca. 1815-1816
School
Company School
Medium
Watercolor, ink and gold on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 27 x 39 cm (10 5/8 x 15 3/8 in)
Geography
India, Haryana state
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1992.17
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Painting
Type

Album leaf with painting

Keywords
India, portrait
Provenance

Malcolm Fraser, by descent, from William (1784-1835) and James Baillie Fraser (1783-1856) [1]

From 1980 to 1992
Baron and Baroness Bachofen von Echt, purchased at auction, the Malcolm Fraser Collection, Sotheby's, London, July 7, 1980, lot no.6 [2]

From 1992
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased at auction, "The Bachofen von Echt Collection," Sotheby's, London, April 29, 1992, lot no. 4 [3]

Notes:

[1] According to Curatorial Note 5 in the object record.

[2] See note 1.

[3] See note 1.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Sotheby's (London)
Baron and Baroness Bachofen von Echt
Malcolm Fraser
James Baillie Fraser 1783-1856
William Fraser 1784-1835

Label

This is a painting of five men recruited by William Fraser (1784-1835), a political officer in the East India Company responsible for recruiting and maintaining an irregular force to fight in the skirmishes in the hilly terrain against the Gurkha in the Nepal War which broke out 1814.  At a time when Mughal resources were diminishing and artists were losing traditional patrons, British interest in documenting their experiences in India provided livelihoods and new inspiration for many painters.

William Fraser's inscription on the cover paper is as follows: Five villagers, now troopers.  [1] Juhaz, a Rajpoot, of Loharee, district Hansee.  [2] Bukhtawur, a Rajpoot, from near Benares. [3] Goolzaree, a Moosulum Rajpoot, of Neesung vil.,district Kurnal. [4] Indur, a goojur, of vil. Syyudpoor, dystrict Tupookruh, Mewat. [5] Ummee Chund--Kalas nephew, a Rose by cast, vil. Datchour, district Kurnal. These men are drawn as they first presented themselves to enlist.

Published References
  • Mildred Archer, Toby Falk. India Revealed: The Art and Adventures of James and William Fraser 1801-35. London and New York. p. 91, pl. 59.
  • Milo Cleveland Beach. The Imperial Image: Paintings for the Mughal Court., 2nd ed. Washington and Ahmedabad, India, 2012. cat. 60A, p. 190.
Collection Area(s)
South Asian and Himalayan Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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