Begum Samru and her household

Begum Samru and her household, by Muhammad A`zam. This crowded scene shows the ruler of Sardhana, Begum Samru (1751-1836) and her extensive household, receiving four guests who are seated in a row in the centre. Every figure has been named in a small inscription, including the four visitors (three nawabs and a bakshi or paymaster), who have been linked with the Mughal court of Akbar Shah II in Delhi. The Begum's international household included David Dyce-Samru (sitting on her right), to whom she would bequeath most of her wealth, and John Thomas (beside Dyce-Samru), an Irish-Indian officer in her army, who had been adopted into her court in 1795. Painting, colours on paper, Begum Samru and her extensive household receiving four guests, all figures' names inscribed in ink, artist's name Muhammad A`zam inscribed in lower left corner, possibly Delhi, India, 1820-1825.