A Fakeer at an Army Camp

The seated man in this print is described by the artist as a "fakeer." The word fakir (Arabic: faqir) originally applied to wandering Muslim mystics, but was used in India to refer to Hindu ascetics as well. The artist Emily Eden left no information indicating the religious faith of the man depicted here. Eden lived in India between 1836 and 1842 while her brother, Lord Auckland, served as governor-general there. During her travels, she produced numerous sketches depicting the people she encountered. Shortly after her return to England, a portfolio of prints based upon her drawings was published.