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Cartoon, The Bengal Levee
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Cartoon, The Bengal Levee
Cartoon, The Bengal Levee, by James Gillray. Showing Lord Cornwallis (1738-1803), Governor-General of India, in the middle of a crowd of sycophants in Calcutta (right background). He held a weekly levee at Government House. Date: 1792
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Media ID 14230231
© The Sharp Illustration Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
1790s 1792 Bengal Calcutta Colonialism Cornwallis Criticism Gillray Governor Greeting Hands Harsh Influence Levee Meeting Satire Satirical Shaking Weekly
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This satirical print by James Gillray, titled "The Bengal Levee," offers a biting critique of the colonial administration in India during the late 18th century. The focus of the image is Lord Cornwallis, the Governor-General of India, who is depicted in the middle of a crowded room at Government House in Calcutta. The room is filled with a multitude of sycophantic men, all vying for the attention and favor of their colonial master. Lord Cornwallis is shown seated on a throne-like chair, surrounded by the eager crowd. He is shown shaking hands and greeting each man in turn, while they fawn over him, offering gifts and flattery. The scene is a stark representation of the power dynamics of colonialism, with the colonial ruler wielding immense influence over the local population. The title "The Bengal Levee" refers to the weekly audience that Lord Cornwallis held at Government House, where he would receive petitions and grant favors to the Indian elite. This practice was a common feature of colonial administration, and was seen as a way for the colonial rulers to maintain control over the population. However, Gillray's cartoon offers a harsh critique of this practice, highlighting the corrupt and sycophantic nature of the colonial administration. The image is a reminder of the complex and often problematic relationship between the colonial powers and the colonized populations, and the ways in which power and influence were wielded during the colonial era. This print, created in 1792, offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of colonial India and the dynamics of power and influence during the 1790s. It is a testament to the enduring power of satire as a tool for social critique and commentary on the complexities of history.
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