Artwork
Vihara Cave at the Pheel Khana Cave, Jellalabad Valley
Vihara Cave at the Pheel Khana Cave, Jellalabad Valley is a drawing by the Impressionist artist William R.I. F.R.G.S. Simpson. It dates from 1879 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Created in 1879 by the British geologist William R.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1879 by the British geologist William R.I. F.R.G.S. Simpson, this drawing records the floor plans of two caves in the Jellalabad Valley: Vihara Cave and Pheel Khana Cave. Rendered in black and white, the work is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection and serves as a precise architectural survey rather than a decorative illustration.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing presents the internal layout of the two caves, delineating chambers, passageways and ancillary rooms. By mapping these spaces, Simpson aimed to document the spatial organization of the sites, providing a visual reference for scholars interested in the caves’ structural features and potential uses.
Technique & Style
Executed with fine line work and cross‑hatching, the plan employs measured lines to indicate depth and shading. Dimensions are annotated in feet, underscoring the work’s scientific intent. The overall aesthetic is utilitarian, emphasizing accuracy over artistic flourish.
History & Provenance
After its completion in 1879, the drawing entered the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it remains accessible to researchers. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s broader interest in 19th‑century exploratory and topographical documentation.
Context
Simpson’s survey coincided with a period of heightened Western interest in South‑Asian archaeology and geology. Detailed cave plans such as this were essential for mapping remote sites, informing both academic study and colonial administration of the region’s natural resources.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Simpson drew travel scenes in watercolor and pencil during the 1800s. He sketched A Doorway in Cairo in 1884, showing arched doorways and sunlight on stone. His 1855 Sebastopol: View from the Victoria Redoubt…
