Lord Auckland Receiving the Raja of Nahun in Durbar

This image was based upon original sketches by Emily Eden (1797–1869), an amateur artist who traveled to India in 1836 when her brother George Eden (Lord Auckland) was appointed governor-general of India. Eden spent six years in India, 2½ years of which she traveled its northern provinces with the camp of the governor-general. She encountered numerous kings, princes, and native peoples, many of whom became subjects of her sketches.

This print documents a formal meeting (durbar) between the governor- general and the Raja of Nahan (Nahun), ruler of a small kingdom in what is now Himachal Pradesh state. Lord Auckland is shown seated on a throne-like chair in the center of a row of other seated dignitaries. The raja is depicted to his right. Arrayed on the floor in front of them are various gifts offered to the governor-general.