Barrackpore. The seat of the governor general 16 miles from calcutta from nature. November 1807
watercolour, by charles ramus forrest (d. 1827), of barrackpore house and park in barakpur near calcutta inwest bengal dated november 1807. Inscribed on the front: 'barrackpore. The seat of the governor general 16 miles from calcutta from nature. November 1807. C. R. F. ' forrest made several journeys up-country on his military duties and mentions two visits to barrackpore in 'a picturesque tour', one in august and one in december, in an unknown year. This image appears to have been drawn on a third trip to the location. Barakpur was originally a permanent barracks, but when marquis wellesley took over the commander-in-chief's residence, in 1801, he decided to make improvements to the area. He commenced the building of a summer residence for future governors-general, which consisted of only the first storey when he was recalled to england. Wellesley also landscaped the gardens in the 'english style' and added an aviary, a menagerie and a theatre. Barrackpore park later became a popular place for leisure pursuits. The first storey of wellesley's proposed grand building was first added to by sir george barlow, acting governor-general from 1805-1807, who converted each corner of the verandah into a small room. This view shows the building after these additions. Later in 1814-15 the building was greatly extended by the marquis of hastings who added a new storey. Object Type: drawing. Date: November 1807. Place of creation: Barrackpore. Medium: watercolor. Depicted Place: Barrackpore. Collection: British Library. Charles Ramus Forrest - Barrackpore. The Seat of the Governor General 16 miles from Calcutta from nature. November 1807' - British Library WD4323
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