The Poona Darbar of 1790 before 1893

This print, called ‘The Poona Darbar of 1790’, shows a durbar, or formal gathering, at Poona during the rule of the Peshwa, the prime minister of the Maratha Empire, in India. The print illustrates the power dynamics within the Maratha Empire and its relationship with the British East India Company. The durbar was a site of political negotiation and display, and this image conveys the hierarchy of power through spatial arrangements and visual cues. The architecture, dress, and posture of the figures all communicate status. This print provides insight into the social and political landscape of 18th-century India and the ways in which British influence was beginning to take hold. Studying archival materials, such as letters, diaries, and official records, we can begin to unpack the complex relationships between the Maratha Empire and the British East India Company. This helps us understand the broader history of colonialism and cultural exchange in India.