Photograph of Fatehpur Sikri, India by Samuel Bourne, 1860s.

This photograph gives a close-up view of the pillars on the first floor of the Panch Mahal.
The pillars at the forefront of the image are intricately carved.

This photograph was initially part of the photographic collection held in the National Art Library. The markings on the mount are an indication of the history of the object, its movement through the museum and the way it is categorised.
The mount is white. Bottom Left: Label from Bourne catalogue with some handwritten text.
Bottom right: label with ‘ A.in. Fatehpur Sikri.

Historical significance: This photograph gives a close-up view of the pillars on the first floor of the Panch Mahal.
Unlike those on the ground floor, these are intricately carved and said to have been inspired by Hindu designs. Some circular, some octagonal, and some with bands of different patterns. No two groupings of pillars are alike. The capitals are also beautifully carved with any different designs.

The pillars in this photograph are on the first floor of the Panch Mahal. The building is part of the Imperial palace complex at Fatehpur Sikri, a city near Agra in north-west India built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar (ruled 1556-1605). No two groupings of pillars are alike. Some are circular, some octagonal, and some are carved with bands of different patterns.

The British photographer Samuel Bourne lived and worked in India between 1862 and 1869. During this time he toured the Himalayas and travelled through the subcontinent, photographing its landscape, architecture and historical sites. He set up a studio in Simla with Charles Shepherd and sold his prints sold to an eager public both in India and Britain.

53272