Photographic Collections
The Royal Asiatic Society has almost 100 different collections of photographs, containing several thousand images, dating back to the middle of the nineteenth century. The Society’s photographic collections are a valuable source of information about the cultural and physical heritage of many different parts of Asia. But they’re also useful for understanding the history of photography itself. These pages contain a small selection of the Society’s photographic holdings.
[Photo.12/(001)] Teppa Tank, Madura
View across the Teppakulam Tank towards the shrine in the centre. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880.
[Photo.12/(002)] Madura, the Southern Gopuram [of the Minakshi Sundareshvara Temple] from the east
General view of the richly carved gopura of the Minakshi Sundareshvara Temple. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880
[Photo.12/(003)] Madura, the temple jewels [Minakshi Sundareshvara Temple?]
A view of the temple jewels, presumably of the Minakshi Sundareshvara Temple, arranged against a cloth backdrop. By: Nicholas &…
[Photo.12/(004)] Trichinopoly, the Rock and the Tank from the old Gateway
View looking across the tank towards the Rock, with its fort and temple on the summit. By: Nicholas & Co.,…
[Photo.12/(005)] Coonoor, Black Bridge on the ghat
View upstream towards the small wooden bridge. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880
[Photo.12/(006)] Coonoor, Glen View Hotel, distant view
View looking across the wooded valley towards the hotel. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880
[Photo.12/(007)] Coonoor, Sims Park, the Lake
General view of the lake, with a boathouse in the foreground. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880.
[Photo.12/(008)] Coonoor, Runnymede Waterfall
View from below the falls. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880
[Photo.12/(009)] Coonoor, Hoolical Droog in the mist
View across the valley towards neighbouring hills. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880
[Photo.12/(010)] Towards Coonoor, from Lamb’s Rock
View towards Coonoor, from Lamb’s Rock. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880
[Photo.12/(011)] Ootacamund, Charing Cross
View from the hillside, looking down onto the junction of the roads below. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880
[Photo.12/(012)] Ootacamund, the Lake from Willow Bund
Ootacamund, the Lake from Willow Bund. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880
[Photo.12/(013)] Ootacamund, the Lake and Elk Hill from Erin Cottage
View across the lake towards Elk Hill beyond. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880
[Photo.12/(014)] Ootacamund, the Lake from the west
Ootacamund, the Lake from the west. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880
[Photo.12/(015)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], General view of the rathas (monolithic temples), Dharmaraja’s in foreground
View from the south-west, with the pyramidal Dharmaraja Ratha is in the foreground, and the Bhima Ratha beyond. The Nakula…
[Photo.12/(016)] Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], Draupadi and Arjuna Rathas
General view from the west of the two monolithic temples, with the lion sculpture in the foreground. The Draupadi ratha…
[Photo.12/(017)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], the Split Temple [Bhima Ratha]
General view of the Bhima Ratha monolithic temple. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880
[Photo.12/(018)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], the Ganesa Temple, a very elegant structure
General view of the Ganesha Ratha. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880.
[Photo.12/(019)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], Yemopooram Temple [Mahishamardini Cave Temple]
The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], Yemopooram Temple [Mahishamardini Cave Temple]. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880.
[Photo.12/(020)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], Woolacalundha Temple
General view of the rock-cut temple. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880
[Photo.12/(021)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], the Butter Stone [Krishna’s Butterball]
View of the massive boulder known as Krishna’s Butterball, with the Ganesha Temple visible in the background. By: Nicholas &…
[Photo.12/(022)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], nearer view of the left portion of the carvings [Arjuna’s Penance]
View of the sculpted rock face. This print joins up with print 23 to form an overall view of the…
[Photo.12/(023)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], nearer view of the left portion of the carvings [Arjuna’s Penance]
Showing the right-hand portion of the sculpted rock face, which joins up with print 22 to form an overall view….
[Photo.12/(024)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], Vishnu Trivikrama [Varaha Cave Temple?]
Rock-cut panel sculpture of Vishnu taking the three steps. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880
[Photo.12/(025)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], the conflict between Durga and the evil spirit Mahishasura [Mahishamardini Cave Temple]
Rock-cut sculpture panel. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880
[Photo.12/(026)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], the herds of the cowherd Nunda in Kristna’s Choultry
Rock-cut sculpture panel. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880
[Photo.12/(027)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], the Shore Temple
General view from the water’s edge. By: Nicholas & Co., ca. 1880
[Photo.13/(001)] Tomb of Mahomed Ghaus, Gwalior Fort
Tomb of Mahomed Ghaus, Gwalior Fort. 1880s, photograph by Lala Deen Dayal. Click on the image to expand.
[Photo.13/(002)] Interior of North Room, Man Mandir, Gwalior Fort
Interior of North Room, Man Mandir, Gwalior Fort. 1880s, photograph by Lala Deen Dayal. Click on the image to expand.
[Photo.13/(003)] Sas Bahu Temple, Gwalior Fort
Sas Bahu Temple, Gwalior Fort. 1880s, photograph by Lala Deen Dayal. Click on the image to expand.
[Photo.13/(004)] Teli-ka-Mandir, Gwalior Fort
General view of the temple in the process of restoration, with sculptures displayed on plinths in the foreground. Reproduced as…
[Photo.13/(005)] Centre archway of Arhai-din-ka-Jhonpra, Ajmer
Centre archway of Arhai-din-ka-Jhonpra, Ajmer. 1880s, photograph by Lala Deen Dayal. Click on the image to expand.
[Photo.13/(006)] View of Durgah, Ajmer
View of Durgah, Ajmer [Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti’s Dargah]. 1880s, photograph by Lala Deen Dayal. Click on the image to expand.
[Photo.13/(007)] Anna Sagor Lake, Ajmer
Anna Sagor Lake, Ajmer. 1880s, photograph by Lala Deen Dayal. Click on the image to expand.
[Photo.13/(008)] City view from the Palace, Amber
City view from the Palace, Amber. 1880s, photograph by Lala Deen Dayal. Click on the image to expand.
[Photo.13/(009)] Street view, Jaipur
Street view, Jaipur. 1880s, photograph by Lala Deen Dayal. Click on the image to expand.
[Photo.13/(010)] The Palace, Amber
The Palace, Amber. 1880s, photograph by Lala Deen Dayal. Click on the image to expand.
[Photo.13/(011)] North corner of the Amber Lake
North corner of the Amber Lake. 1880s, photograph by Lala Deen Dayal. Click on the image to expand.
[Photo.13/(012)] Jaipur Palace
Jaipur Palace. 1880s, photograph by Lala Deen Dayal. Click on the image to expand.
[Photo.13/(013)] Inside the City Palace, Alwar
Inside the City Palace, Alwar. 1880s, photograph by Lala Deen Dayal. Click on the image to expand.
[Photo.13/(014)] Marble Cenotaph of the Maharaja, Alwar
Marble Cenotaph of the Maharaja, Alwar. 1880s, photograph by Lala Deen Dayal. Click on the image to expand.
[Photo.13/(015)] City view, Alwar
City view, Alwar. 1880s, photograph by Lala Deen Dayal. Click on the image to expand.
[Photo.13/(017)] The Water Palace [Gopal Bhavan], Dig
View looking across the Gopal Sagar tank towards the west facade of the Gopal Bhavan, flanked by the Savan Bhavan…
[Photo.13/(018)] Lahore Gate of the Fort, Delhi
Lahore Gate of the Fort, Delhi. 1880s, photograph by Lala Deen Dayal.Click on the image to expand.
[Photo.13/(019)] Interior view of the Sumon Barj, Delhi
Interior view of the Diwan-i-Khas, showing pietra dura work and pierced screen. 1880s, photograph by Lala Deen Dayal. Click on…
[Photo.13/(020)] The Kashmiri Gate, Delhi
The Kashmiri Gate, Delhi. 1880s, photograph by Lala Deen Dayal. Click on the image to expand.
[Photo.13/(021)] The Qutb Minar, Delhi
View from the base up to the second gallery of the Qutb Minar, photographed from the roof of the Alai…
[Photo.14/(001)] View looking towards the River Hugli from the Ochterlony Monument, Calcutta
View looking westwards across the Maidan from the top of the Ochterlony Monument.
[Photo.14/(003)] Lankeshvara Shrine, Kailasanatha Rock-cut Temple, Ellora
Listed in the Bourne and Shepherd catalogue as ‘The Ar-Lanka Cave Temple of Kylas’.
[Photo.14/(004)] Dherwada Cave Temple, Ellora
View of entrance to the Buddhist Dherwada Cave (Ellora Cave IX). Listed in the Bourne and Shepherd catalogue as ‘General…
[Photo.14/(005)] Side porch of rock-cut temple with sculptured figures
Side porch of rock-cut temple with sculptured figures, with seated Buddha on right and a dvarapala on left between two…
[Photo.14/(006)] Elephanta Cave Temple
View of the Shiva Temple. Listed in the Bourne and Shepherd catalogue as ‘General view of the Great cave of…
[Photo.14/(007)] Entrance to cave temple, Elephanta
Listed in the Bourne & Shepherd catalogue as ‘Left wing, or Lion Cave’.
[Photo.14/(008)] Interior of Elephanta Cave Temple
Listed in the Bourne and Shepherd catalogue as ‘View from Lion Cave, looking towards entrance’.
[Photo.14/(009)] The Bund Gardens, Poona
The Bund Gardens, Poona, looking towards the Fitzgerald Bridge
[Photo.14/(010)] View on the Bund at Poona
View from the Bund Gardens looking towards the stone bund across the river.
[Photo.14/(011)] Back Bay, Bombay
This view, looking across Back Bay from Malabar Hill towards the town, links up with print 12 to form a…
[Photo.14/(012)] Bombay from Malabar Hill
View looking south-east across Back Bay towards the town, with the University buildings and Secretariat visible in the distance. The…
[Photo.14/(013)] Malabar Hill from the Rajabai Tower, Bombay
View from the Rajabai Tower, looking across Back Bay towards Malabar Hill. This print joins up with print 14 to…
[Photo.14/(014)] Malabar Hill from the Rajabai Tower, Bombay
Continuation of print 13, forming a panoramic view of Malabar Hill.
[Photo.14/(015)] Mahalakshmi Temple, Breach Candy, Bombay
General view of the temple and surrounding houses on the seashore at Breach Candy.
[Photo.14/(016)] Darjeeling
Joins up with print 17. Photograph uncredited, but possibly by Johnston & Hoffmann.
[Photo.14/(017)] Darjeeling
Joins up with print 16. Photograph uncredited, but possibly by Johnston & Hoffmann.
[Photo.14/(018)] Sunset on Kinchenjunga, from Darjeeling
View looking towards the Himalayas from Darjeeling. Photograph uncredited, but possibly by Johnston & Hoffmann.
[Photo.14/(019)] Tista Valley
View of river and wooded hills. Photograph uncredited, but possibly by Johnston & Hoffmann.
[Photo.14/(022)] The railway view from Goomti Corner
Photograph uncredited, but possibly by Johnston & Hoffmann.
[Photo.14/(023)] View on the Darjeeling Hill Railway
Photograph uncredited, but possibly by Johnston & Hoffmann.
[Photo.22/(001)] Aftermath of a typhoon
View looking along the Hong Kong waterfront after the typhoon of 1874, with wrecked vessels in the foreground near the…
[Photo.22/(002)] Waterfront after typhoon, 1874.
View looking along the Hong Kong waterfront after the typhoon of 1874. This view looks back towards the viewpoint of…
[Photo.22/(003)] Steamer, ashore after Typhoon
Bow view of the beached paddle steamer ‘Alaska’ after the Hong Kong Typhoon of 1874. Pencilled note on the reverse…
[Photo.22/(004)] Destroyed building after typhoon
View looking down onto the wrecked bungalow, which stood on a headland above the sea. -1874. Hong Kong Typhoon. By…
[Photo.22/(005)] Aberdeen Dock after typhoon
View looking down onto the dockyard, showing damage wrought by the typhoon. This print forms the right hand section of…
[Photo.22/(007)] Flagstaff at Victoria Peak after typhoon
View looking down onto the damaged flagstaff and harbour below. Pencilled note on reverse of print reads: ‘Flagstaff at Victoria…
[Photo.22/(008)] Clubhouse, Hong Kong, opposite Post Office
View of clubhouse from street. Photograph uncredited, but possibly by Lai Afong.
[Photo.22/(009)] Panoramic view of Hong Kong in two sheets
Panoramic view looking westwards along the Peak and over the harbour. A portion of the view at the bottom right-hand…
[Photo.22/(010)] Happy Valley Racecourse, Hong Kong
View looking down onto the racecourse, where a meeting is in progress.
[Photo.22/(011)] Cemetery, Hong Kong, Happy Valley. Naval Hospital on the hill
General view of Happy Valley Cemetery, with the chapel in the centre, and the Naval Hospital on the skyline in…
[Photo.22/(012)] Shipping in Hong Kong Harbour
View from the wharf, looking towards shipping in the harbour. The names of three steamers – ‘Calypso’, ‘Sappho’ and ‘Hebe’…
[Photo.22/(013)] British naval vessel HMS Orion in dry dock, Hong Kong
HMS Orion in dry dock, Hong Kong. Identified by Duncan Mirylees
[Photo.22/(015)] Bund, Hankow
View looking along the street, lined with European mansions on the left.
[Photo.22/(017)] Tea plantation, Yang li Moon (above Hankow)
General view of land planted out with tea.
[Photo.22/(018)] Little Orphan Island, Yangtze River
General view of the conical island, with a settlement of houses in the foreground.
[Photo.22/(019)] Chinese barbers at work in a courtyard
Photograph possibly taken by Milton M. Miller.
[Photo.22/(020)] Opium smokers
Studio portrait of two Chinese opium smokers, reclining on trestle beds with their pipes. Photograph possibly taken by Milton M….
[Photo.22/(021)] Labelling and packing brick tea
Two workers wrapping an packing tea. Photograph possibly taken by Milton M. Miller.
[Photo.22/(022)] Chinese family group
Family group posed in front of house. Photograph possibly taken by Milton M. Miller.
[Photo.22/(023)] Peking Observatory
View looking towards the observatory, with astronomical instruments ranged along the top of the wall.
[Photo.22/(024)] Jesuit Observatory on wall of Peking
Close view of astronomical instruments in the observatory.
[Photo.22/(025)] View of the Whampoo River
View of the Whampoo River, looking downstream, taken from the public garden in Shanghai. ‘American’ settlement appears on the left….
