Who painted Heavy Field Battery, Jhansi?

Heavy Field Battery, Jhansi was painted by Raja Deen Dayal in 1886.

Where can I see Heavy Field Battery, Jhansi?

Heavy Field Battery, Jhansi is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Heavy Field Battery, Jhansi?

Heavy Field Battery, Jhansi is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Heavy Field Battery, Jhansi

Raja Deen Dayal , 1886

Heavy Field Battery, Jhansi is a photography by the Impressionist artist Raja Deen Dayal. It dates from 1886 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Check out the next room for photos by Raja Deen Dayal (Indian, 1844–1905).

This painting shows a group of soldiers with a big gun on an elephant. The elephant walks through a dusty field under a bright sky. The soldiers look small next to the huge animal.

This scene wasn’t just about war. It was also about the British using Indian traditions in new ways. Elephants carried heavy guns when horses couldn’t. Deen Dayal took this photo to show off the British Indian Army’s power.

Check out the next room for photos by Raja Deen Dayal (Indian, 1844–1905).

Overview

Heavy Field Battery, Jhansi is a photograph depicting a scene of military logistics, featuring a large gun mounted on an elephant, accompanied by soldiers, in a dusty outdoor setting under a bright sky.

Subject & Meaning

The photograph showcases the British Indian Army's adaptation of traditional Indian warfare practices, leveraging elephants for heavy artillery transport, highlighting the intersection of colonial military might and local customs.

Technique & Style

While specific photographic techniques used by Raja Deen Dayal in this work are not detailed here, the composition contrasts the enormity of the elephant with the relative smallness of the soldiers, emphasizing the animal's crucial role.

History & Provenance

Captured by Indian photographer Raja Deen Dayal (1844–1905), this photograph was likely intended to demonstrate the prowess of the British Indian Army, with Dayal's studio often documenting military and colonial subjects.

Context

Elephants had been used in Indian warfare since ancient times (at least 500s BC), initially for attack, but by the time of this photograph, their role had shifted to support, particularly in transporting heavy artillery and supplies due to their superior strength over cattle and horses.