Charles D’Oyly

Charles D’Oyly, a British civil servant with the East India Company, was also a talented artist and a key figure in promoting the arts during his time in India. Born into a prominent family, D’Oyly was the son of Sir John Hadley D’Oyly, the Company’s resident at the court of Nawab Babar Ali in Murshidabad, Bengal. After completing his education in England, D’Oyly returned to India in 1797 to join the Bengal Civil Service. Over the course of his career, he held several important posts in cities like Calcutta, Dacca, and Patna, eventually receiving a knighthood in 1818.

As an artist, D’Oyly was known for his sepia drawings and lithographs, often capturing the landscapes and ruins of India, particularly Mughal architecture in Dacca. He studied painting under George Chinnery, a close friend, and published several illustrated books, including The European in India (1813) and The Costume and Customs of Modern India. He also collaborated on projects like Antiquities of Dacca (1816) and View of Calcutta and its Environs (1848).

During his time in Patna, D’Oyly made a significant impact on the local art scene by establishing the Behar Lithographic Press and forming the Behar School of Athens, an amateur art society. His contributions helped shape the evolving style of the Patna School of Painting, as he worked closely with local artists, most notably Jairam Das, to blend traditional Indian techniques with European influences.