History Paintings & Portraits of Indian Leaders

Investiture at Calcutta of Maharaja Jaswant Singh, Sydeny F Hall, Oil on Canvas, 3'0"x 2'0"

Location: PBG Mess

The painting represents the investiture of Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur with the insignia of the Star of India by the Prince of Wales at a durbar held in Calcutta on 1st January 1876. Maharaja Jaswant Singh succeeded to the gaddi in 1873. He was the son of Raja Takhat Singh who had always shown loyalty towards the Empire.

The Maharaja is dressed in a pink ensemble with a Rajput pagdi, embellished with pearl strings apart from several other jewels. He is seen receiving the Order from Prince of Wales who is dressed in the uniform of a General of the British Army. He is seated on a chair, positioned atop the Dias, under a canopy. The robes of the Order of the Star of India are worn by him over the military uniform. Numerous British Officials are seen in this painting, encircling the Dias.

Amidst British Officials, several Indian dignitaries such as Maharaja Siwai Sir Ram Singh of Jaipur, Maharaja Sir Ranbir Singh of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Sir Jiwaji Rao Scindia of Gwalior, Maharaja Sir Raghu Rai of Rewa, Maharaja Shri Ravi Varma of Travancore among others are seen in their magnificent traditional attires and jewellery.