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An interesting folio sheet of engravings showing the Grand Mogol's Royal Palace, from Chatelain's moumental 7 volume Atlas Historique, on of the most famous and prolific works fo the early 18th century.
This captivating 18th-century print provides a detailed and intricate depiction of the opulent Mughal court in Delhi, India. The title translates to "View and Description of the Palace of the Grand Mogul, of his Mosque, of his Entertainments, of his Women, of his Manner of Living, & other Things which will be Explained in the Following Dissertation."
The Mughal Empire, one of the most powerful and influential empires in the Indian subcontinent, flourished between the 16th and 19th centuries. The Grand Mogul referred to in the print is likely one of the prominent emperors who ruled during the empire's peak at about the time of Jahandar Shah or Farrukhsiyar. Farrukhsiyar ascended to the Mughal throne in 1713 after deposing his uncle, Jahandar Shah, with the support of the powerful Sayyid brothers, Abdullah Khan and Husain Ali Khan. His reign, however, was marked by political instability and factional conflicts within the empire. Despite his initial military success and the support he garnered from the Sayyid brothers, Farrukhsiyar struggled to maintain control over the vast and diverse territories of the Mughal Empire.
The Mughal court was renowned for its grandeur, cultural advancements, and architectural marvels, including the construction of iconic structures like the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort in Delhi.
The print vividly captures the sprawling layout of the Mughal palace complex, highlighting its architectural brilliance and the bustling activities within its walls. The central courtyard is depicted as a hive of activity, with figures engaged in various forms of entertainment, including elephant battles and processions, showcasing the opulent lifestyle and the grandeur of Mughal ceremonial practices. The intricate detailing of the buildings, lush gardens, and fortified walls reflects the sophistication and artistry of Mughal architecture.
Henri Abraham Chatelain (1684-1743) was a Huguenot pastor of Parisian origins. Chatelain proved a successful businessman, creating lucrative networks in London, The Hague, and then Amsterdam. He is most well known for the Atlas Historique, published in seven volumes between 1705 and 1720. This encyclopedic work was devoted to the history and genealogy of the continents, discussing such topics as geography, cosmography, topography, heraldry, and ethnography. Published thanks to a partnership between Henri, his father, Zacharie, and his younger brother, also Zacharie, the text was contributed to by Nicolas Gueudeville, a French geographer. The maps were by Henri, largely after the work of Guillaume Delisle, and they offered the general reader a window into the emerging world of the eighteenth century.
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