Power & Territory

1771 – 1806

1771Shah Alam II enters Delhi and re-stakes claim to the Mughal capital.

1771Antoine Polier in Awadh, working for Shuja ud-Daula, commissions paintings by artists

1774Jean Baptiste Gentil, French Resident, commissions albums by Indian artists in Awadh

1775Nawab Asaf ud-Daula, Governor of the province of Awadhthrough 1797

1772Warren Hastings, Governor General of Bengalin office 1772-1785; impeached in 1787

1773Elijah Impey (Chief Justice of EIC in Bengal) and Mary Impey in Calcutta

1776Declaration of Independence endorsed by CongressColonies declare independence.

1777Painter Zayn al-Din, Ram Das and others paint birds and animals in the Impey menagerie. Bhawani Das active since 1773

1782James Renell’s map of India using the Trigonometric Survey

1778Painter William Hodges’ tenure in Indiathrough 1783

1783Painter John Zoffany in India, working for various European patronsthrough 1789

1786Painters Thomas Daniell and William Daniell (uncle and nephew pair) in Indiathrough 1793

1789French Revolution

1789George Washington elected first president of USA

1793Permanent Settlement of Bengalfixing rent for landowners/zamindars to collect on behalf of British officials.

1803France sells Louisiana territories to USA

1789Evidence of painterly activity at Delhi by Painter Ghulam Ali Khan and his workshopfrom this year

1803East India Company takes over the affairs of Delhi under Shah Alam II, establishment of the office of the British Resident in Delhi

1806Death of the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II