Main content

British India photograph album

Notifications

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]3420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6206

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Call Number:
Ms. Coll. 1137
Repository:
University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
Extent:
0.08 linear feet (1 volume)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
British India photograph album, circa 1930-1935, Ms. Coll. 1137, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania
Date:
circa 1930-1935 (inclusive)
Form:
Photograph albums and Photographs
Abstract:
This photograph album was probably created by a British subject traveling (or possibly living) in Karachi, in what is now Pakistan. For the most part, these beautiful photographs which were carefully mounted and captioned appear to be travel photographs, although the time frame of the album, dating from 1930 to 1935, indicates the photographer and compiler was in the country for longer than a mere visit. The album appears to cover areas of what is now Pakistan and northern India, with a focus on Karachi, Port Said, Sandspit, New Delhi, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Seringapatam, and Sivasamudram. Photographs focus largely on urban and scenic vistas, but the photographer also documents the people of India.

This photograph album was probably created by a British subject traveling (or possibly living) in Karachi, in what is now Pakistan. For the most part, these beautiful photographs which were carefully mounted and captioned appear to be travel photographs, although the time frame of the album, dating from 1930 to 1935 indicates the photographer and compiler was in the country for longer than a mere visit. One loose photograph documents the Indian Technical Section in Karachi in 1930, in which four British men in military uniform are included. One of the British men may also be pictured in another photograph in the album, but it is uncertain if it is the same individual.

Photographs in this album are listed in the finding aid with the exact caption provided by the photographer/compiler in the order in which they are bound. The album appears to cover areas of Pakistan and northern India, with a focus on Karachi, Port Said, Sandspit, New Delhi, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Seringapatam, and Sivasamudram. Photographs focus largely on urban and scenic vistas, but the photographer also documents the people of India. For the most part, the photographs of the people of India are candid, documenting them at work, although there are a few more posed portraits included. There are also photographs of animals, in particular camels and oxen. Religious structures and famous buildings are well represented in the volume. The photographer appears to have appreciated the architecture, culture, and beauty of India and Pakistan. All photographs are black and white; all but four are mounted into the album; and almost all are captioned in decorative script.

Sold by McBlain Books, 2000.

Subject
Place

Publisher
University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
Finding Aid Author
Holly Mengel
Finding Aid Date
2015 September 28
Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Copyright restrictions may exist. For most library holdings, the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania do not hold copyright. It is the responsibility of the requester to seek permission from the holder of the copyright to reproduce material from the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts.

Collection Inventory

Request to View Materials

Materials can be requested by first logging in to Aeon. Then, click on the ADD button next to any containers you wish to request. When complete, click the Request button.

Request item to view

Karachi furniture removers.
[Uncaptioned], oxen working.
Cleaning pots in a Karachi Street.
Mixing mortar at Drigh Road, [Sina].
Tomb at Magai Pir near Karachi.
Doudh Mallah.
A Sindi Musician.
Local beauties at Malir or Karachi.
Water carriers.
[Uncaptioned], oxen working.
Our friend the camel.
English Church, Port Said.
A Mosque, Port Said.
[Uncaptioned], building, possibly religious.
Bunder Boats in Karachi Harbour.
Scene at Sandspit.
Bail cart at Karachi.
Fruit Mallah, Manora.
Palms Museum, Karachi.
New Delhi.
Changing the Guard at Viceregal Lodge, New Delhi.
Akbar's Pillar, Fatehpur Sikri near Agra.
Tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti, Fatehpur Sikri.
The Taj Mahal, Agra (3 images).
A corner of the Taj Mahal, Agra.
A marble-lattice screen at Fatehpur Sikri.
A general view of Fatehpur Sikri showing the "Panch Mahal" and Gate of Victory (Buland Darwaza).
Shahdara near Lahore (2 images).
The Shalimar Gardens, Lahore.
Tomb of the Emperor Jahangir at Shahdara.
The Golden Pavilions, Agra Fort.
The outer defences overlooking River Jumna, Agra Fort.
Tomb of Safdar Jang [Safdarjung], Delhi.
Kutb Minar, Delhi.
New Delhi.
On the way to Ootaramund.
By the Falls at Sivasamudram [Shivasamudram], Cauvery River, Mysore.
Tomb of Tippu Sultan, Seringapatam.
Sri Rayanatka Sinami Temple, Seringapatam.
Hindu Gods on road to Mettupalayam.
Temple at Bhavani.
By the river at Seringapatam.
The Darya Daulat Bagh, Seringapatam.
Bhar Chukki Fall at Sivasamudram, Cauvery River.
Gagana Falls, Sivasamudram.
Young India.
[Uncaptioned], two Indian men with guns.
Four loose photographs ("Indian Technical Section, Karachi, 1930;" "Carving on South Side of Somanathapura;" and two images of a lighted building).

Print, Suggest