Mar 29, 2012

View of Dashashwamedh Ghat - Varanasi (Benares) 1883









Photograph of the Dashashwamedh Ghat from the Kitchener of Khartoum Collection: 'Views of Benares. Presented by the Maharaja of Benares' by Babu Jageswar Prasad in 1883. Dashashwamedh Ghat, on the River Ganges at Varanasi, is one of the busiest of the cities many ghats, where residents and pilgrims perform their ablutions, Brahmin priests sit on wooden platforms under bamboo umbrellas to offer prayers for their clients, masseurs ply their trade and boatmen jostle for custom. The name of the Ghat is derived from the legend that this was the site where Lord Brahma performed the "Das ashvamedha" (10 horse) sacrifice for King Divodasa. This ghat is regarded as one of the world’s most celebrated tirthas, or ‘crossing places’ where the devotee can gain access to the divine and gods and goddesses can come down to earth.

Source: British Library

Mar 14, 2012

Qutb Minar in Delhi


Back of card says "Qutub Minar.  Showing the Fallen Top Story in a corner.  Built by Rai Pithora and completed by Qutub Uddin and Altamash in 1220.  Height 238 feet, contains 379 stairs, 99 names of Allah and history of previous kings engraved beautifully."
Lal Chand & Sons, Delhi.  Made in Saxony

Photograph contributed by Mr. Ben Collier (benccollier@hotmail.com) from the Estate of Frances Anna Goheen.  She was born in Mahabaleschwar, India on 30 March 1891 to a missionary family.

Mar 13, 2012

Marble Throne in Diwan-I-Am in Red Fort Delhi


Back of card says "Marble Throne and Bungallow in Diwan-I-Am Fort Delhi, where sit the Moghal Emperors in open Court & where Delhi was handed over to the Viceroy by the Govenor of Panjal on 23rd December 1912."
Lal Chand & Sons, Delhi.  Made in Saxony

Photograph contributed by Mr. Ben Collier (benccollier@hotmail.com) from the Estate of Frances Anna Goheen.  She was born in Mahabaleschwar, India on 30 March 1891 to a missionary family.

Mar 7, 2012

The Raja of Cochin - Late 19th Century Photograph


Photographer: Deen Dayal
Source: ebay

The Maharao Raja of Bundi - Late 19th Century Photograph


Photographer: Deen Dayal
Source: ebay


The Maharaja of Coach Behar - Late 19th Century Photograph

Photographer: Deen Dayal
Source: ebay


The Nawab of Bahawalpur - Late 19th Century Photograph

Source: ebay

Waterfall below Mussoorie Church - 1860's

Source: ebay

Group of Sadhus in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh - 1880's

Source: ebay

Holy Hindu Festival Day in Bombay (Mumbai) - 1930's

Source: ebay

Mar 6, 2012

Families living on Street - New Delhi 1948

Like many other refuges in Delhi, India, these families live on the street. They eat, sleep, cook, wash and do dustness on the pavement under the arch of a road overpass near New Delhi.

Source: ebay

The Delegates of the All-India Convention of the Congress - New Delhi 1937

The Delegates of the All-India Convention of the Congress, as they Assembled at New Delhi to Pass on the Proposal to Participate in the New Constitutional Government Provided by the British Parliament. The Fefusal of the Congress Party, the Majority Groupto Accept Office in Six of the Provinces Revived the Fear of Unrest Among the 350,000,000 People of the England's Empire in the East.

Source: ebay

Water-Short India Faces Hottest Summer in Decade - From Chicago Sun-Times June 5, 1966

Man drinking water from a metal pot

Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru Presenting a Trophy on the Occassion of the First Boat Race in Alleppey, Kerala - 1952


Jawaharlal Nehru presenting a trophy on the occasion of the First Boat Race in Alleppey, 1952, which is the predecessor the now famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alleppey, Kerala. In the middle ( the tall person) is Late T M Varghese, the then Home Minister of Travancore Cochin. 

Photograph contributed by Jerry Verghese .

Mar 1, 2012

Indian Husband and Wife Vintage Photograph

Source: ebay

Vintage Photograph of Indian Man and Wife with their Children

Source: ebay