An English family at the table under a punkah, a fan, kept in motion by a Khelassy

This aquatint by Sir Charles D’Oyly was published in a book consisting of twenty aquatints in 1813, titled ‘The European in India’. The purpose of the book was to introduce the reader to the lifestyle of a Company servant in a language that was instructive as well as amusing.

D’Oyly served in India from 1798 to 1838 as an East India Company servant and was posted in Calcutta, Dacca and Patna. His drawings reflect the popular imagery of India. This image shows an English family seated at a table, attended by their domestic retinue..