PEOPLE OF INDIA (1868-1875)

NON-EXPORTABLE

THE MOST REMARKABLE COMPREHENSIVE PHOTOGRAPHICALLY-ILLUSTRATED ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF INDIA

The People of India was 'prepared under the authority of the Government of India'. The 55 mounted photographs in the present lot all come from the various volumes of the set, which was published by W. H. Allen & Co (publishers to the India Office at the time) in London. Each of the photographs was accompanied with and descriptive letterpress.

The People of India was published in eight volumes between 1868 and 1875, and contained over 486 pasted in albumen photographs depicting the 'Races and Tribes of Hindustan'. The project was commissioned under the patronage of Governor-General Lord Canning and his wife, Lady Canning - both of whom were great early patrons of photography in India. It is reported that the Cannings simply wanted a photo album to carry home with them to England 'which might recall to their memories the peculiarities of Indian life'. Whatever their reason, the result is perhaps one of the most ambitious and fascinating publications in India's extensive photographic history.

The known contributing photographers were: J.C.A. Dannenberg; Lieut. R.H. De Montmorency; Rev. E. Godfrey; Lieut. W.W. Hooper; Major Houghton; Capt. H.C. McDonald; J. Mulheran; Capt Oakes; Rev. G. Richter; Shepherd and Robertson; Dr. B. Simpson; Dr. B.W. Switzer; Capt H.C.B. Tanner; Capt. C.C. Taylor; Lieut. J. Waterhouse. These photographs were further compiled by John Forbes Watson and John William Kaye. The photographs were not the first to be taken of Indian people but the project was organised within the framework of attempts by officials to document the people in a methodical, statistically and ethnographically oriented manner.

The collection was an attempt at a visual documentation of "typical" physical attributes, dress and other aspects of native life that would complement written studies, although it did itself contain brief notesregarding what were thought to be the "essential characteristics" of each community.

LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS IN ORDER :-

28. Mishmi. Hill Tribe. Assam.(With descriptive text)
56. Meech. (Trans-Himalayan origin). Darjeeling.
57.Meech group. (Trans-Himalayan origin). Darjeeling.
65. Magar or Muggur. Military tribe. Nipal.
159. Jumna. Hindoo boy dressed as Krishna. Saharaunpoor.
169. Cultivators. Russia Rajpoots. Hindoos. Dehra Dhoon.
178. Sumneus Khan.Ranghur Mahomedans. Formerly Rajpoots. Hissar.
246. Khutree. Hindoo trader. Hazara. (With descriptive text)
248. Afreedee. Of the Kohat Pass. Afghan frontier tribe. Soonnee Mussulman. Kohat.
250. Orukzye Afreedees. Afghan frontier tribe. Soonnee Mussulmans. Kohat.
269. Kharal. Soonnee Mahomedan. Googaira. Mooltan.
275. Bukiyanas. Rajpoots, now Mussulmans. Gugaira. Mooltan.
290. Syud Sabir Ali Shah, of Tattah. Sheea Mussulman. Sind.(With descriptive text)
292. Khadir Bukhsh. Khosa Beloch. Soonnee Mussulman. Sind.
303. Bhogtees. Beloch frontier tribe. Soonnee Mussulmans. Sind.
320. Syud of Upper Sind. Sheea Mussulman. Sind.(With descriptive text)
337. Mohana. Fisherman. Soonnee Mussulman.Sind. (With descriptive text)
341. Purriar Meenas. Robber tribe. Rajpootana.(With descriptive text)
344. Jat Zemindars. Hindoos. Rajpootana.(With descriptive text)
345. Goojur Sirdars. Hindoo. Rajpootana.(With descriptive text)
346. Goojur Zemindars. Hindoos. Rajpootana.(With descriptive text)
347. Khanzadas. Mussulmans. Rajpootana.(With descriptive text)
348. Sadhs. Hindoo sect. Rajpootana. (With descriptive text)
349. Guddees. Mussulmans. Rajpootana.(With descriptive text)
351. Golahs. Low caste Hindoo tribe. Rajpootana.(With descriptive text)
352. Lodhas. Low caste Hindoo tribe. Rajpootana.(With descriptive text)
354. Dhangees. Hindoos. Saugor.(With descriptive text)
355. Saonras. Aboriginal tribe. Saugor.(With descriptive text)
356. Koormees. Hindoo cultivators. Saugor. (With descriptive text)
357. Rao Krishn Rao. Hindoo. Saugor.(With descriptive text)
363. Bheels Vindhyan Range. Aboriginal tribe. Mundlaisur [Mandleshwar]. (With descriptive text)
364. Bheels [of the] Satpoora Range. Aboriginal tribe. Saugor [sic, for Mandleshwar]. (With descriptive text)
365. Bheels of Jhabooa. Central India. (With descriptive text)
366. Brinjaries. Hindoos.Central India.(With descriptive text)
368. Mussulmans of Jowrah. Pathans. Central India.(With descriptive text)
370. Bhorahs. Mussulman traders. Indore. (With descriptive text)
372. Shekhawattee Bunneas. Hindoos. Indore.(With descriptive text)
376. Bhat. Hindoo. Central India. (With descriptive text)
378. Rajah of Seetamhow and Durbar. Rajpoot. Malwah.
379. Thakoors of Seetamhow. And Durbar. Rajpoot. Malwah.
381. Nawab of Jowrah and nephews. Mussulmans. Jowrah.(With descriptive text)
382. Durbar Court of Jowrah. Jowrah. Central India.
384. Thakoor Hurree Singh. Rajpoot. Sillana. (With descriptive text)
388. Ram Rao Narrain. Prime Minister. Indore.(With descriptive text)
392. Nawab Oomra Dulha. (Her late husband.) Bhopal. [Incorrect caption, should read: Foudjar Mahomed Khan, and sons.]
397. Gosais. Hindoo devotees. Berar.(With descriptive text)
398. Rohillas. Mussulmans. Berar.(With descriptive text)
399. Gonds.Aboriginal Tribe. Berar.(With descriptive text)
400. Dhairs. Out caste Hindoo Tribe. Berar.(With descriptive text)
401. Gauwlies. Hindoo Cowherds. Berar.(With descriptive text)
403. Byragees. Hindoo Devotees. Berar. (With descriptivetext)
404. Korkoos. Aboriginal Tribe. Berar.
405. Wuddurs. Hindoo. Berar. (With descriptive text)
414. Vaidika Smartha Brahmin. Mysore.
446. Carpenters. Hindoos. Madras. (With descriptive text)