Posted on: 12 January 2013

Agra, 1860

This photograph shows a gateway known as the Hathi Pol (Elephant gateway). From it can be seen the Hiran Minar (Deer tower). There are two people underneath the gateway who give a sense of scale to the building.

This photograph shows a gateway at Fatehpur Sikri, a city built by the Emperor Akbar (ruled 1556-1605). Construction began in 1571 and work continued on various buildings until 1858. The gateway is known as the Hathi Pol or Elephant Gate. Through it you can see the Hiran Minar or Deer Tower.

The British photographer Samuel Bourne lived and worked in India between 1862 and 1869. During this time he toured the Himalayas and travelled through the subcontinent, photographing its landscape, architecture and historical sites. He set up a studio in Simla with Charles Shepherd and sold his prints sold to an eager public both in India and Britain.

Copyright: © V&A Images


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Nice information :)

its reminding me of d film 'Nau do gyarah'...Dev Anand's song...'Hum Hai Rahi Pyar ke..hum se kuch na boliye...'

History... is always beautiful! Vijayant Singh take a look at this one :)

A book called "Traces of India: Photography, Architecture, and the Politics of Representation, 1850-1900" discusses how India was showcased to the rest of the world through some of the earliest photographic work undertaken in the country.

Bourne and Shepherd was the first photo studio to be established in India, Calcutta. Sadly the studio caught fire and most of the historical photographs were burnt. The studio still remains but the former glory is lost.

The current owner is trying his best to to piece together all the photographs of the studio, now strewn all over the world. The studio still has the camera used by legendary photographer Samuel Bourne. He used to move with a large retinue of 42 coolies who carried his cameras, darkroom tent and chests of chemicals and glass plates.

A great Share..thanks :-)