Ink and grey wash on paper. Inscribed on mount The road to Simla. 160 x 250mm. (6.5 x 10ins).

In nineteenth century India, British officers were often skilled draftsmen, and in their passing out exams were required to show a high level of proficiency. This skill was necessary for the maintenance of miltary logs to which illustration added an extra dimension.

Watercolours and drawings were frequently produced during military manoeuvres, using whatever materials, sketchpads etc. that were immediately to hand. Many have considerable artistic merit and also topographical interest. They were frequently unsigned.