21. Rungo Bapogee and the Marylebone Reformers, 1847

On 1 December 1847 a banquet was held in Marylebone. Among guests of honour was an Indian, Rungo Bapojee, who made the perilous journey by sea to London in 1839 (knowing no English) to fight for justice for the Maharajah of Satara. He lived at 9 Blandford Place, Marylebone for 13 years, looked after by two servants. He worked very hard to win support, and this image suggests that the Marylebone reformers may have been sympathetic to his cause. His status is evident from the convention used by the artist of picturing the most important people facing outwards, while other guests are turned towards them.

 

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