Who painted Bullocks of Elephant Battery, Jhansi?

Bullocks of Elephant Battery, Jhansi was painted by Raja Deen Dayal in 1884.

Where can I see Bullocks of Elephant Battery, Jhansi?

Bullocks of Elephant Battery, Jhansi is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Bullocks of Elephant Battery, Jhansi?

Bullocks of Elephant Battery, Jhansi is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Bullocks of Elephant Battery, Jhansi

Raja Deen Dayal , 1884

Bullocks of Elephant Battery, Jhansi is a photography by the Impressionist artist Raja Deen Dayal. It dates from 1884 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

You see two oxen hitched to a big gun on wheels, parked in a dusty courtyard.

This photo was taken by an Indian photographer for British officials. It shows how the colonial army used animals to move heavy weapons. The oxen look calm, but the scene hints at the power—and cost—of British rule.

If you like old photos of India, look up more work by Raja Deen Dayal (Indian, 1844–1905).

Overview

Bullocks of Elephant Battery, Jhansi is a late 19th-century photograph depicting two oxen hitched to a large wheeled gun in a dusty courtyard, highlighting the use of animal labor in the colonial military.

Subject & Meaning

The image illustrates the practicalities of British colonial rule in India, showcasing the reliance on local animals for transporting heavy artillery. The calm oxen contrast with the implied weight of imperial authority and its operational realities.

Technique & Style

Taken by an Indian photographer for British clientele, the photograph's style reflects the documentary realism characteristic of colonial-era commissioned works, prioritizing clarity of subject over artistic embellishment.

History & Provenance

Originally part of a disassembled album of approximately 105 photographs (1885-1887), this piece is one of 37 related images held by the museum (2016.266), likely commissioned by a British civil servant as a personal memento around 1888.

Context

For additional context on Indian photography during this period, the works of Raja Deen Dayal (1844-1905), a prominent Indian photographer, offer further insight into the intersection of colonialism and indigenous photographic practice.