Description by Francois-Balthazar Solvyns (1760-1824) Original coloured etching from Les Hindous Pub. Paris Solvyns’ portrays here a streetscape from Chitpore Road in Calcutta, the Hindu quarter known as “Black Town.” The composition centres on a bustling intersection flanked by contrasting building types, such as the pukka (brick) two-storied houses with broad verandas and modest mud huts. Verandas, a hallmark of Bengali domestic architecture, serve not only as shaded extensions of the home but also as social spaces where elite Hindu men recline, smoke hookahs, and are cooled by large ceiling-hung fans called pankas or punkah, operated by servants. The temple in the background exemplifies the Bengali chala style, distinguishing Hindu temple towers from the spherical domes of Mughal mosques. A funerary post (brso kaah) is included in the right foreground. Frans Balthazar Solvyns, was a skilled engraver and painter hailing from Antwerp, embarked on a transformative journey to India in 1790. Settling in Calcutta, Solvyns immersed himself in the intricacies of Indian life, studying Hindi and forging relationships with Brahmins and pundits. Inspired by his surroundings, he commenced his ambitious project in 1791, aiming to depict the diverse facets of Indian society, from occupations to customs which he published in a series of engravings. Despite its sensitive portrayal, the venture encountered little success initially, prompting Solvyns’ departure from India in 1803. However, his legacy endured through subsequent publications, notably “The Costume of Hindoostan” and the expanded edition of “Les Hindous,” offering an intimate and detailed glimpse into 18th-century Indian life across professions, festivals, and daily rituals, immortalising a unique historical moment with both reverence and curiosity. Image Size (cms): 24(H) x 35(W) Image Size (inches): 14.5(H) x 19.5(W) Mount Size (cms): 56.5(H) x 70(W) Mount Size (inches): 22.25(H) x 27.5(W)
