PHOTO ALBUM of COLONIAL INDIA. Assembled or photographed by a private soldier stationed in Meerut.

PHOTO ALBUM of COLONIAL INDIA. Assembled or photographed by a private soldier stationed in Meerut.PHOTO ALBUM of COLONIAL INDIA. Assembled or photographed by a private soldier stationed in Meerut. India. c. 1930 31 Oblong folio. Cord bound and cloth covered album with over 200 mostly original photographs (including 27 photographic postcards) mounted recto verso on 25 dark brown album cards, neat manuscript captions in white; album a little worn and with replaced cords. An interesting album documenting the life and travels of a soldier during the

PHOTO ALBUM of COLONIAL INDIA. Assembled or photographed by a private soldier stationed in Meerut. India. c. 1930-31

Oblong folio. Cord-bound and cloth-covered album with over 200 mostly original photographs (including 27 photographic postcards) mounted recto-verso on 25 dark brown album cards, neat manuscript captions in white; album a little worn and with replaced cords.

An interesting album documenting the life and travels of a soldier during the twilight years of the ‘British Raj’. Collection opens (and closes) with the panoramic views of the Himalayas, followed by detailed images of Ghurkas and other Tribal Hill people, travelling vendors, snake charmer, camel transport, bed of nails (absent a fakir), Jubbulpore views, Meerut street scenes, Temples, Mosques, ‘A Vultures Tea Party’, ‘Elephant Bridge’, ‘Christmas Decorations. Royal Signal men’s mess’ and ‘The Barrack 3rd Indian Division Signals’; ‘Hindu Gods’ at a religious festival captured in Ranickhet ; Studies of Naini Tal Lake and Temple on the bank ; Delhi illuminated by night studies of Lutyen’s ‘Imperial Delhi’, the Jumna Bridge and other engineered structures, ‘Kutab Minar’, views of the Old City from the Jumna Masjid, Chandi Chowk Clocktower; Jhansi tombs and ruins. Other images of interest to the compiler show ‘Types of wells used in Indian irrigation systems’ and several shots recording the famed cricketers Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe on their tour of India at the Roshana Cricket Club in Delhi, organised by the Maharajkumar of Vizianagram. Professional photos also depict the Taj Mahal, and a memorial at Cawnpore. Military subjects, in addition to Meerut soldiers mess, include ‘The Kings Birthday Parade Ranikhet 1931’; ‘Mounted Sports, Royal Deccan Horse, Meerut 1930’; military personalities such as RSM Biggs, Major General Ironside, and General Sir P. Chetwode; a Ghurka soldier; a sequence documenting ‘The Viceroy's visit to Meerut February 1930’ arrival in a biplane; Attock, camps, bridge construction, ‘Armoured Car’ and ‘Machnine Gun Outpost’. ‘With the Sappers and Miners Khajuri Plain, North West Frontier during the Afridi trouble 1930-31’.

SKU: 2121084