India: Visnupad Temple / Vishnupada Mandir at Gaya, oil on canvas, Sir Charles D'Oyly (1781-1845), c. 1820

Sir Charles D'Oyly was a talented amateur painter who entered the service of the East India Company in 1798 and held several government posts. Whilst in Dacca he met George Chinnery and went on painting expeditions with the celebrated artist with whom he became a close friend. One of his most productive periods was in Patna from 1821 until 1831, during which he held the posts of Opium Agent and the Commercial Resident, producing numerous paintings and sketches.

Gaya, in the province of Bihar, is one of the most sacred places for Hindus, where pilgrims come from all over India to offer pindas for the peace of departed souls. The centre for such pilgrimage is the Vishnupad temple, in which the inner sanctum is said to contain Vishnu's footprints.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Pictures From History