This artwork depicts the removal of wealth from Indian treasuries by British colonial forces. Chests being carried out, the scale of the extraction visible in the composition.
The economic historian Utsa Patnaik, drawing on two centuries of trade and tax records, estimated that Britain extracted approximately forty-five trillion dollars from India between 1765 and 1938. The mechanism was straightforward: Indian tax revenue was used to pay for Indian exports to Britain, which were recorded as gifts or purchases rather than extractions. The money never returned. The textiles, raw materials, and foodstuffs did not return either.
India was one of the wealthiest regions in the world when the East India Company arrived. Its share of global GDP fell from approximately twenty-five percent to under four percent by 1947. The wealth did not disappear. It was moved.
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.
