Banyan tree with Hindu shrine at Gaya, Bihar. Coloured aquatint by T. Daniell, 1796.

Banyan trees are Indian fig trees, the branches of which hang down and root themselves. The tree is a symbol of life and is considered sacred in many Asian cultures. Villages throughout India have a sacred tree, where a shrine is established to honour the presiding deity. Around the base of this tree are bas reliefs of Hindu deities

Gaya is an ancient centre of Hindu pilgrimage. South of the city is Bodhgaya, site of Buddha's enlightenment.

[London] (Historic Gallery Pall Mall) : Published as the act directs for Tho[ma]s Daniell by Rob[er]t Bowyer, May 1796.

1 print : aquatint, with watercolour ; platemark 47.9 x 62.9 cm.

The sacred tree of the Hindoos at Gyah, Bahar Drawn and engraved by Thomas Daniell Bears number bottom right: XV

Travel in aquatint and lithography 1770-1860 from the library of J.R. Abbey, San Francisco 1991, vol. 2, 420.16

Mildred Archer, Early views of India, London 1980, reproduced as no. 88

Wellcome Collection 27581i