MM Central State Library

The most sacred Gurudwara of Sikhism. The artist captures the temple’s reflection in the Amrit Sarovar (holy tank) and the soft tones of early morning or dusk.

The Vijay Stambha, or Tower of Victory, stands majestically inside the historic Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan. Built by Rana Kumbha between 1440 and 1448 CE to commemorate his victory over the Sultan of Malwa, Mahmud Khilji, the tower is one of the finest examples of Rajput military and architectural glory. Rising about 37 meters (122 feet) high, it is intricately carved with sculptures of Hindu deities, celestial beings, and mythological motifs from top to base.

The tower is made of red sandstone and white marble, and each of its nine stories is accessible by an internal staircase of 157 steps. From the top, one can see sweeping views of the Chittorgarh fort complex - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inscriptions inside the tower also record the genealogy of the rulers of Chittor, making it an invaluable historical record.

This artwork, titled Delhi Relic, appears to be an early 20th-century sepia or ink wash rendering of a historical ruin in Delhi. The composition shows a cluster of domed Mughal-era structures - possibly part of the Tughlaqabad Fort, Purana Qila, or Hauz Khas complex, all of which were favourite subjects of colonial and post-colonial artists documenting the decaying monuments of Delhi.

The style - muted browns, loose brushwork, and atmospheric haze -suggests that it could be a watercolour or pencil-and-wash sketch meant to evoke nostalgia and the passage of time. Such works were common among British and Indian artists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who recorded India’s architectural heritage.