The Maharaja of Benares

This is a reverse glass painting from Delhi. According to a description of the painting published on page 205 of the book ‘Reverse Glass Painting in India’ by Professor Anna L. Dallapiccola:
“Maharaja Bahadur Sri Sir Ishwari Prasad Narayan Singh (1822-1889) succeeded his uncle in 1835. He was then 13 years old and was the first of his line to be granted the title of Maharaja. He was a staunch ally of the British, assisting them in many ways during the First War of Independence (1857) and was rewarded with the rank of Maharaja Bahadur in 1859. In 1867, he was granted a personal 13-gun salute; a decade later he was elevated to Knight Grand Commander Star of India. Later, he became a member of the Viceroy's Legislative Council and his greatest achievement was to restore all the family lands that had been lost to them for over a century. In 1889, he was given the title of His Highness. He died several months later, aged 67, and was succeeded by his nephew.
The richly dressed and bejewelled Maharaja of Benares is shown in a relaxed pose with a huqqa. A bushy, imposing moustache almost hides the smile which imparts a refreshing informality to his face. His turban is decorated by pearls, emeralds hang from the sarpech, and on the side is a turra from which drop five strings of pearls. There is a necklace of precious stones around his neck. His angarkha is enlivened by embroideries at the cuffs and around the neck and the front. A large sash is tied around his waist.”