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Luke Honey | Decorative Antiques, Chess, Backgammon & Games

rajasthan-east-india-chess-set-circa-1840

March 29, 2016

Lovely example of a scarce mid 19th century ‘Rajhastan’ figural chess set. The white side depicts forces of the British East India Company, which effectively controlled Indian until direct rule from London was imposed following the Indian Mutiny of 1857.

The ‘British’ pawns are shown as sepoys, with two figures carrying musical instruments- a flute and a drum.