Udaipur, Marwar. H. H. Maharana Sajjan Singh with Sirdars, circa 1882

A very good group portrait showing Maharana Sajjan Singh of Udaipur seated in the centre of a formal group of his sirdars and retainers. The Maharana [an alternative title for maharaja] succeeded in 1874 and ruled for a decade. He is seen here wearing the breast star and badge of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India having been awarded a GCSI in 1881. The badges were designed to be worn round the neck or on the sash when worn but the Maharana wears it below the diamond set star. The photograph is lacking the top left corner and is mounted on an old card album leaf which has not survived the passing 125 or more years well. There are several small worm holes through the image but none affecting the Maharana. We sell things as we find them but this attractive photograph would benefit from backing onto a dark card when the holes would barely show. Udaipur [or Oodeypore as it appears in the contemporary caption has an unbroken rule of succession stretching back over a thousand years and is the oldest ruling house in the world, headed most recently by Maharana Arvind Singh. It is notable that no British representative appears in this group; usually a Resident or Agent is seated next to the ruling Prince.  jul10/2

Despite the card having not survived well for over 125 years the photographs retain the fine, rich toning the best 19th century artists achieved. Although there are no photographer’s credits this and others from this group are similar to the work of Deen Dayal. Our own photographs are taken in natural light and we never use any later enhancement.