Ootacamund (Ooty), to the North of the Lake - Colour Print 1834

Source: British Library

Portrait of a Seated Girl Wearing Jewellery, from Madras in Tamil Nadu - 1872

Studio portrait of a seated girl wearing jewellery, from Madras in Tamil Nadu, taken in c. 1872, from the Archaeological Survey of India Collections.
This photograph is attributed to the Madras School of Industrial Arts which was an important training centre for photographers in the area, established in 1850. Many examples of jewellery from India were shown at the London Universal Exhibition of 1872 and this photograph may have been one of those exhibited to demonstrate the way it was worn. The girl is wearing the fine ceremonial sari and jewelled head-dress worn by a bride on her wedding day.

Source: British Library

Rev. P. Rajahgopaul of the Free Church of Scotland Mission, Madras (Chennai) - c.1860

Source: British Library

Conflict of Durga with Mahishasur - Mahishasuramardini Cave Temple, Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu - 1880

Photograph taken by Nicholas and Co in ca. 1880 at Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) in Tamil Nadu, showing a sculptural frieze of Durga seated on a lion, shooting arrows at Mahishasura. Most of the temples and art at this site are ascribed to the reign of the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I (ruled 630-about 668 AD), from whose title of Great Wrestler or Mahamalla the place derives its name. The Mahishasuramardini cave temple takes its name from the huge sculpture panel on its walls celebrating the feat of the goddess Durga (a form of the Mother Goddess Shakti) who slew the buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura. With its naturalistic dynamism and beauty the panel is considered to be a masterpiece of Indian art.

Source: British Library

Two young Women and a Child, Displaying Jewellery, at Madras (Chennai) in Tamil Nadu - c.1870's

This photograph is attributed to the Madras School of Industrial Arts which was an important training centre for photographers in the area, established in 1850. The two women pictured here are wearing rings, earrings, noserings, bracelets, necklaces, and anklets.
Source: British Library