The painting 'A view of a hill village in Rajmahal' was made by William Hodges in 1782, during a visit to the Jangal Mahals. On whose invitation did Hodges make this visit?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Augustus Cleveland
Option (1) Francis Buchanan — Incorrect. Buchanan was a physician and surveyor who travelled through the Rajmahal hills in the early nineteenth century, long after this painting.
Option (2) Lord Cornwallis — Incorrect. Cornwallis was the Governor-General linked with the Permanent Settlement in Bengal. Hodges went to the Jangal Mahals at the invitation of a district Collector.
Option (3) Augustus Cleveland — Correct. Hodges became a friend of Augustus Cleveland, the Collector of Bhagalpur, in 1781. On Cleveland's invitation he went with him to the Jangal Mahals in 1782 and painted a set of aquatints.
Option (4) Lord Wellesley — Incorrect. Wellesley was the Governor-General whom Buchanan served as surgeon. He had no part in Hodges' visit of 1782.
NCERT (2026-27): “2.1 In the hills of Rajmahal … |