The city of Benares, known for its Hindu learning and superstition, has intrigued European travelers for centuries. Notable descriptions by Taver- nier and Heber offer glimpses of Benares in the past. However, limited artistic representation exists, and these sketches aim to fill the void. While not professional works of art,
they faithfully depict the city’s essence, providing a unique view of its vibrant culture. Created over ten years of residence in Benares, these sketches, along with a map, were intended to accompany a literary project. Despite potential minor inaccuracies, these illustrations offer valuable insights into Benares’ antiquity, history, and population. The book features 32 black and white illustrations and required over a decade to gather the photographs and sketches for its inclusion.
About Author
James Prinsep (799-1840) was an English scholar, orientalist, and antiquary. He is renowned for deciphering the Kharosthi and Brahmi scripts of ancient India.
In addition to his work as an assay master, he made significant contributions to architecture, temple illustration, and sanitation in Benares. In addition to his work as an assay master, he made significant contributions to architecture, temple illustration,
and sanitation in Benares. Prinsep was the founding editor of the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, contributing articles on chemistry, mineralogy, numismatics, meteorology, and Indian antiquities. He played a crucial role in the calibration of instruments to measure humidity and atmospheric pressure, and his decipherment of Brahmi script was a major scholarly achievement .
PREFACE
THE City of BENARES has long been known to Europe as the principal seat of Hindoo learning and superstition, and as the stronghold of the Brahminical faith in modern times. Its extent and importance have been magnified in all ages, and its wonders depicted in colors far too vivid to be correct. But it has always possessed enough of real attraction to the 
deservedly, therefore, occupies a prominent place in the relations of Indian travellers. as a lively picture of Benares in 1608, before the prostration of its temples by AURUNGZEBE and while there yet remained some vestiges of the splendor of its idolatries; the latter, as introducing the reader, in the amiable prelate’s agreeable and instructive manner, to Benares, as it appeared to him on his visit in 1625.
INTRODUCTION
VARANASI, Or BENARES, or to be orthoepically correct,according to the system of Dr. Gilchrist, Bunarus, derives its name from two streams, the Burna and Ussee, which bound it on the north-east and south-west. Its ancient denomination was KASHEE, “the Splendid,” whereof the fabulous wonders are fully detailed in the Kashee-Khund, one of the chapters of the Skundu- Poorana.
According to this mythological history, Kashee is a place of the most profound antiquity, sanctity and splendor: it has survived in age a hundred lives of BRUHMA, each of whose days is equal to 4320 millions of years; it stands apart from the earth, supported upon the trisool or trident of MAHADEO, never shaken by earthquakes; and the whole city was once of pure gold, but has since degenerated into stone and brick, along with the rapid deterioration of human virtue. At the period of universal dissolution, Benares is unharmed, never being abandoned by SHIVA, from which it derives another of its appellations, of frequent occurrence in the Pooranas, or Avimukta.
Content
- PREFACE
- INTRODUCTION
- VIEW FROM UGNESWUR GHAT
- VIEW WESTWARD FROM GHOOSLA GHAT
- MADHORAY GHAT AND THE MINARETS
- A PREACHER EXPOUNDING THE POORANS IN THE UNNA-POORNA TEMPLE
- OLD TEMPLE OF VISHVESHVUR
- BALCONY AT THE MAN MUNDIR
- HINDOO NACH GIRLS
- A MORNING CONCERT
- T’HUT’HEREE BAZAR
- BENARES FROM THE MUNDAKINEE TULAO
- VIEW FROM PUNCHGUNGA GHAT
- VIEW OF THE CHURN-PADOOKA ON MUNIKURNIKA GHAT 59
- RAJRAJESWUREE GHAT
- PROCESSION OF THE TAZEEAS
- BRUHMA GHAT
- VIEW OF THE MAN MUNDIL
- MUNIKURNIKA GHAT
- THE THAKOOR-DWAREE
- BENARES ILLUSTRATED
- EVE OF AN ECLIPSE OF THE MOON
- GHOOSLA GHAT
- SHREEDHUR MOONSHEE’S GHAT and RANA MUHUL
- ELEVATION OF A HINDOO TEMPLE
- PLAN OF THE OLD VISHVESHWUR TEMPLE
LIST OF ILLUSTRATORS
ZEND-AVEST
THE SACRED BOOKS OF THE EAST
VIEW FROM UGNESWUR GHAT, BENARES
VIEW WESTWARD FROM GHOOSLA GHAT, BENARES
MADHORAY GHAT & THE MINARETS AT BENARES
APREACHER EXPOUNDING THE POORANS
TEMPLE OF VISHVESHVUR, BENARES
OLD PROJECTING BALCONY AT THE MAN MUNDIR OR OBSERVATORY, BENARES
ULEE BUNDEE
A MORNING CONCERT
THUT HEREE BAZAR
BENARES FROM THE MUNDAKINEE TULAO
VIEW OF THE GANGES
BENARES
RAJRAJESWUREE GHAT BENARES
PROCESSION OF THE TAZEEAS
BRUHMA GHAT, BENARES
VIEW OF THE MAN MUNDIL
MUNIKURNIKA GHAT, BENARES
A THAKOOR-DWAREE
EVE OF AN ECLIPSE OF THE MOON
GHOOSLA GHAT, BENARES
SHREEDHUR MOONSHEE’S GHAT AND RANA MUHUL, BENARES
VIEW OF THE GYAN BAPEE WELL, BENARES
KUPULDHARA TULAO, BENARES
RAM LEELA MELA
BHURUT MELAO
LAL SHAH’S TOMB AND GHAZIMEEA KE DURGAH BENARES
DUSASWUMEDH GHAT
BOORWA MUNGUL FESTIVAL, AT BENARES
SLEEPING APARTMENTS OF KASHMEEREE MUL’S HOUSE
ELEVATION OF THE TEMPLE OF VISHVESHVUR AT BENARES MUSJID NEAR RAJ GHAT, BENARES