This artwork depicts the fall of Delhi during the 1857 uprising, when British forces recaptured the city after weeks of siege. The event took place between June and September 1857, forming one of the central episodes of the rebellion against the British East India Company. The scene reflects the moment when Company troops entered the city through breaches in the northern walls, leading to extensive fighting, fires and destruction across major neighbourhoods.
Historically, Delhi became the symbolic centre of the uprising after rebel soldiers from Meerut entered the city on 11 May 1857 and declared the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II as their sovereign. British forces quickly moved to retake Delhi. The siege began in early June, and by September British artillery had created breaches near the Kashmir Gate and Water Bastion. On 14 September 1857, infantry units stormed the city. The assault and the subsequent street fighting resulted in high casualties on both sides. Contemporary accounts describe widespread fires, structural damage and the destruction of civilian homes.
After the British recaptured Delhi, large sections of the population were expelled. Many residents fled or were forced out under military orders. Neighbourhoods around the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk were heavily affected. British reports from the period record executions of suspected rebels, confiscation of property and the dismantling of parts of the Mughal administrative and cultural infrastructure. The palace complex, including the Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Am, was converted into military use. Bahadur Shah II was arrested, tried by a military court and exiled to Rangoon.
The fall of Delhi marked a major turning point in the uprising. It allowed British forces to re-establish control in northern India and contributed to the eventual suppression of the rebellion by mid-1858. After the conflict ended, the British Crown formally dissolved the East India Company and assumed direct rule over India. Delhi’s population, economy and built environment were significantly altered by the aftermath of the siege and the administrative restructuring that followed.
This event remains one of the most extensively documented episodes of 1857. It is referenced in military reports, trial records, British parliamentary papers, Delhi municipal archives and eyewitness accounts from civilians, soldiers and foreign observers. The fall of Delhi has since been studied as a key moment in the transition from Company rule to the British Raj and as a turning point in the decline of the Mughal dynasty.
Every artwork in the Riwayah collection is available in four premium display formats, crafted to suit every home and interior style. Our canvas prints offer a rich, textured finish that brings depth and character to each piece, stretched on FSC certified wooden bars for a refined gallery feel. For a minimalist and versatile look, our magnetic hangers use durable pine wood to hold your print securely without marking it, making it easy to change artwork whenever you like. Those seeking a classic, museum style presentation can choose our premium wooden frames, crafted from responsibly sourced oak or ash with visible natural grain and protected with shatterproof plexiglass. And for a sleek, contemporary finish, our aluminium frames pair clean black metal with heavyweight matte paper for a polished, modern aesthetic. All prints use FSC certified paper and high quality inks, arrive ready to hang or assemble, and are produced on demand in the UK to reduce waste and ensure the highest standard of craftsmanship.
