Sketch and description of a temple fresco, Reespa, on the banks of the Sutlej river, Kinnaur

Sketch and description of a temple fresco, Reespa, on the banks of the Sutlej river, Kinnaur district, northern India. The sketch is in coloured pencil depicting the Supreme Deity, attendants and other symbolic figures. This was copied from a fresco, about 6 feet square, on the temple wall. The paper of the sketch is badly torn and care is needed in handling the document.

With the sketch is a detailed description which was told to Major Salter, Bengal Army, by the temple priest. This document also dates the item to 17 July 1838 and records that it was presented to the Society by Sir C. Malcolm (Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Malclom).

Major Salter served as a Brigadier under General Whish in the Punjab. He is mentioned in Sir Herbert Benjamin Edwardes' A Year on the Punjab Frontier, in 1848-49.

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The material was acquired from Sir Charles Malcolm some time in 1840-1841.

This material was catalogued by Nancy Charley, RAS Archivist, in 2022.

Digital photography (without flash) for research purposes may be permitted upon completion of a copyright declaration form, and with respect to current UK copyright law.

The material was created by Major Salter. It came into the possession of Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Malcolm who donated it to the Royal Asiatic Society.