Title (Original): Plan of the Combat at Ashtee Between the Cavalry of the 4th & Reserve Divisions of the army of the Deckan under the Command of Brig. General Lionel Smith, C.B. And the Pasha’s Horse Commanded by Geklahl.
Watercolor
WallArt
Romanticism
1818
19th Century
28.0 x 30.0 cm
Kalakriti Archives
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Title (Original): Plan of the Combat at Ashtee Between the Cavalry of the 4th & Reserve Divisions of the army of the Deckan under the Command of Brig. General Lionel Smith, C.B. And the Pasha’s Horse Commanded by Geklahl.
Giclée / Art Print
Reproduction Size
-
Total Price
$ 63
Collectible Description
A Vivid Chronicle of Conflict: The Battle of Ashti
To gaze upon this depiction is to be transported across the veil of time, directly into the tumultuous heart of early nineteenth-century Indian warfare. This painting captures the dramatic aftermath and intensity of the Battle of Ashti on February 19, 1818. It is not merely a record of troop movements; it is a visceral tableau vivant, frozen at a moment when the fate of regional powers hung precariously in the balance. The scene pulses with the energy of cavalry engagement, illustrating the clash between General Lionel Smith’s disciplined forces and the formidable horsemen commanded by Geklahl.
Mastery in Watercolor: Technique and Composition
Executed by lieutenant colonel valentine blacker, this work showcases a remarkable command of watercolor technique. The artist employs washes of color to suggest both the dusty heat of the battlefield and the reflective sheen upon the water that bisects the composition. While the subject matter is inherently chaotic—a clash of men, horses, and weaponry—Blacker organizes the chaos with an almost cartographic precision. Notice how the river itself acts as a compositional divider, drawing the eye from the boats clustered on the left to the central action involving the horse in the middle-right ground. The careful placement of figures near the water's edge suggests both tactical maneuvering and the sheer vulnerability inherent in such grand confrontations.
Historical Resonance: The Stakes of Empire
The context surrounding this piece imbues it with profound historical weight. This battle occurred while the Peshwa was fleeing from the might of the EIC army, making Ashti a pivotal point in the shifting political landscape of the Deccan. The narrative embedded within the canvas speaks to loss—the death of Bapu Gokhale represented a severe blow to Maratha fortunes. For the collector or admirer, owning this piece is acquiring a tangible link to the complex geopolitical struggles that shaped modern India, offering a window into military strategy and personal valor during a period of immense upheaval.
Emotional Echoes for the Modern Space
Beyond its historical documentation, this artwork possesses an undeniable emotional resonance. It speaks to themes universal to the human experience: courage under duress, the cost of conflict, and the enduring spirit required to survive such turmoil. For an interior space seeking depth and narrative gravitas—perhaps a study, a library, or a grand hall—this reproduction offers more than mere decoration; it offers contemplation. The drama captured here invites quiet reflection upon the passage of time and the indelible marks that history leaves upon the landscape and the soul.
Related Artworks
Artist Biography
early life and education
lieutenant colonel valentine blacker, a renowned artist and military officer, was born in armagh, northern ireland in 1778. his family had an ancestral home in the barony of oneilland east. blacker's early life is not well-documented, but it is known that he obtained a commission in the madras cavalry in 1798.military career
- 1799: made a cornet in the madras cavalry
- 1800: aide-de-camp to colonel stevenson in the wayanad district
- 1810: quartermaster-general
- 1817: served in deccan, promoted to lieutenant-colonel
- 1823: took over as surveyor general of india from john hodgson
artistic contributions
blackers' artistic talents are evident in his watercolor paintings, showcasing his mastery of color and light. some notable works include: lieutenant colonel valentine blacker's plan of the operations of the reserve of the deckan army (1818), a watercolor piece depicting the operations of the reserve of the deckan army under brigadier general thomas munro.- plan of the operations (29 x 20 cm, kalakriti archives, hyderabad, india, watercolour)
- plan of the environs (kalakriti archives, hyderabad, india, paper)
- plan of the attack (28 x 26 cm, kalakriti archives, hyderabad, india, watercolour)
legacy and death
blacker's contributions to the trigonometrical survey of india are a testament to his scientific approach. he was stationed in calcutta from 1823 until his death from a fever in 1826. blacker was buried in south park street cemetery, calcutta. notable collections featuring blacker's work:- the museum northern ireland civil service art collection (united kingdom)
- la academia real de ulster (belfast, reino unido)
lieutenant colonel valentine blacker
1778 - 1826 , Republic of Ireland
Quick Facts
- Artistic Movement Or Style: Watercolor
- Date Of Birth: 1778-10-19
- Date Of Death: 1826-02-04
- Full Name: Valentine Blacker
- Nationality: Irish
- Notable Artworks:
- Plan of the Combat at Ashtee
- Plan of the Hill Fort of Sattara
- Plan of the Assault of the Fort of Taulneir
- Place Of Birth: Armagh, Republic of Ireland

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