Simon Metcalf on Instagram: "Rocket men with flags, Awadh about 1780 This painting was probably made in Lucknow for Antoine Polier in the 1780s. It depicts two men carrying war rockets at their waist with a flag flying from the shaft of the rocket. A note in Persian in the margin says baNdaR (rocket men) This painting really helps us with the history of the Indian war rocket – giving further confirmation that the Royal Collection rockets are from Awadh and likely late 18th century (see earlier posts) What is also particularly good is that the rockets and flags depicted in the painting are just like the surviving examples at Windsor Castle including having the flag mounted on the bottom of the shaft. The painting shows exactly how they were worn before use as well as the silver chevron and sun decoration on the flags. 📸Wellcome Collection no 583227i Public Domain No 7 and 9 The Royal Collection RCIN 67582 & 71374 © H.M The King 2023 Thanks go to @jiyajalebi for bringing the painting to Nidhin Olikara's and my attention and to Nidhin for reading the Persian and establishing from Charles Greig at the Welcome Collection the likely provenance. #armsandarmour #armsandarmor #rocketscience #rocketmen #indianflags #lucknow #awadh #antoinepolier"

82 Likes, 6 Comments - Simon Metcalf (@s.d.metcalf) on Instagram: "Rocket men with flags, Awadh about 1780 This painting was probably made in Lucknow for Antoine Polier in the 1780s. It depicts two men carrying war rockets at their waist with a flag flying from the shaft of the rocket. A note in Persian in the margin says baNdaR (rocket men) This painting really helps us with the history of the Indian war rocket – giving further confirmation that the Royal Collection rockets are from Awadh and likely late 18th century (see earlier posts) What is also particularly good is that the rockets and flags depicted in the painting are just like the surviving examples at Windsor Castle including having the flag mounted on the bottom of the shaft. The painting shows exactly how they were worn before use as well as the silver chevron and sun decoration on the flags. 📸Wellcome Collection no 583227i Public Domain No 7 and 9 The Royal Collection RCIN 67582 & 71374 © H.M The King 2023 Thanks go to @jiyajalebi for bringing the painting to Nidhin Olikara's and my attention and to Nidhin for reading the Persian and establishing from Charles Greig at the Welcome Collection the likely provenance. #armsandarmour #armsandarmor #rocketscience #rocketmen #indianflags #lucknow #awadh #antoinepolier"

Two men carrying a sword and a backpack with a pennant. Gouache painting by an Indian artist.

Two men carrying a sword and a backpack with a pennant. Gouache painting by an Indian artist.

A Narrative of the Campaign in India which Terminated the War with Tippoo Sultan, in 1792