A fascinating new exhibition in Delhi, titled Histories in the Making, invites visitors to travel back in time through a stunning collection of early photographs of Indian monuments. Dating from the 1850s and 1860s, this collection offers a rare glimpse into a transformative period in both photography and Indian history. As new photographic technology met the rich fabric of Indian architecture, these images captured a pivotal moment when the art of photography was still in its infancy. The 19th century saw a significant leap forward in the development of photography. First introduced in 1839,
he technology quickly spread throughout Europe and its colonies, including British India. As the first country outside Europe to set up professional photographic studios, India became a hub for early photographers. Many of these pioneers, including both British and Indian photographers, gained international acclaim for their work. His photographs not only documented India’s architectural splendour, but also played a key role in shaping the understanding of Indian history and culture. Pioneers of Indian Photography
Among the earliest photographers to set foot in the Indian subcontinent were William Johnson and William Henderson. Johnson began his career around 1852 in Bombay (now Mumbai), initially working with the daguerreotype – a photographic process that produced a single image on a metal plate. By the mid-1850s, Johnson teamed up with Henderson to form the firm Johnson & Henderson. Their collaboration led to The Indian Amateur Photographic Album, a monthly series published between 1856 and 1858,
showcasing their photographs of Indian landmarks, including the famous caves of Elephanta in Maharashtra. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, primarily dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, is captured in all its intricate detail, providing a glimpse into India’s religious and cultural heritage. Another notable figure was Linnaeus Tripe, who arrived in India in 1839 and began photographing temples and historic sites throughout the subcontinent. Tripe’s work at Halebidu, Belur and Shravanabelagola earned him a first-class medal at an exhibition in Madras (now Chennai) in 1855. His extensive collection, which included more than 50 photographs of temples and other sites, was highly praised and cemented his reputation as a leading figure in early Indian photography. Scottish surgeon and photographer John Murray devoted his career to documenting Mughal architecture in Agra, Sikandarah and Delhi. His extensive set of photographs of the Taj Mahal, made in 1864, is one of the most detailed visual records of this iconic monument. Using paper negatives and the calotype process, Murray’s photographs offer a microscopic view of the grandeur of the Taj Mahal and the intricacies of Mughal architectural design.
Felice Beato, a renowned war and travel photographer, came to India in 1858 to document the developments in the aftermath of the 1857 Rebellion. Although the rebellion was nearly over by the time he arrived, Beato’s clear and powerful images of the events that followed, including scenes of Lucknow, Delhi, and Kanpur, captured the dramatic impact of the revolt on Indian cities. His works, known for their immediacy and depth, are historical records of a tumultuous period of Indian history. Andrew Neill, a Scottish doctor in the Indian Medical Service, also made significant contributions to early Indian photography. His calotypes, displayed at exhibitions in Madras and Bengal, documented architectural views of Mysore, Bellary, and Lucknow. Neill’s work provides a valuable perspective on the architectural and historical sites of his time. Another important photographer was Edmund Lyon, who came to India in 1865 and set up a studio in Ooty. Lyon’s photographs of the Nilgiri mountain range and various archaeological sites in South India received considerable recognition,
including at the Paris Exhibition of 1867. His extensive collection of 300 photographs of Trichinopoly, Madurai, Tanjore, Halebid, Bellary and Vijayanagara reflect his commitment to documenting India’s rich cultural and architectural heritage. Samuel Bourne, a former bank clerk turned photographer, arrived in Calcutta in 1863 and soon became a leading figure in Indian travel photography. Partnering with William Howard and later Charles Shepherd, Bourne founded the influential studio ‘Howard, Bourne & Shepherd’, which later became ‘Bourne & Shepherd’. His Himalayan expeditions between 1863 and 1866 produced some of the most stunning images of the region. Bourne’s photographs of the Manirang Pass, located at an altitude of over 18,600 feet, are particularly notable for their breathtaking depiction of the challenging terrain. The Impact of Early Indian Photography
Early photographs of Indian monuments served several purposes. For the British, they were a means of establishing control and showcasing the achievements of the empire. These images were often used
