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.53/(024)] Notre Dame (north-west side)
Stereoscopic photographs of Notre Dame [Our Lady of Ani] (north-west side). [Translated from the French original]. Also described as ‘The…
[Photo.53/(025)] Last windows to the left of the exterior wall
Stereoscopic photographs of the last windows to the left of the exterior wall. [Translated from French original]. Also described as…
[Photo.53/(026)] Cathedral windows carved in relief
Stereoscopic photographs of windows carved in relief on the left of the cathedral facade. [Translated from the original French]. Also…
[Photo.53/(027)] Royal gate (south side) of the Cathedral
Stereoscopic photographs of the Royal gate (south side) of the Cathedral. [Translated from the French original]. Also described as ‘The…
[Photo.53/(028)] Gate of the Catholicos ( north side) of the Cathedral
Stereoscopic photographs of the gate of the Catholicos [bishops] (north side) of the Cathedral. [Translated from the French original]. Also…
[Photo.53/(029)] Interior view with altar (North east part)
Stereoscopic photographs of an interior view with altar (north-east part). [Translated from the French original]. Also described as ‘The interior…
[Photo.53/(030)] View of the interior of the north-east part of the Cathedral with altar
Stereoscopic photographs showing a view of the interior of the north-east part of the Cathedral with altar. (The view has…
[Photo.53/(031)] Church of Saint Saviour, built by Abelgharib, leader of the Armenians, near his Palace
Stereoscopic photographs showing a view of the church of Saint Saviour, built by Abelgharib, leader of the Armenians, near his…
[Photo.53/(032)] The southern entrance of the Church of Saint Saviour
Stereoscopic photographs showing a view of the southern entrance of the Church of Saint Saviour. [Translated from the French original]….
[Photo.53/(033) View of the valley of Achourian
Stereoscopic photographs showing a view of the valley of Achourian:a two-storey bridge, caves, and the high plateau of the citadel…
[Photo.53/(034)] North west view of the chapels and the halls situated on a rock surrounded by walls near the arched royal palace
Stereoscopic photographs showing the north-west view of the chapels and the halls situated on a rock and surrounded by walls…
[Photo.53/(035)] View of the valley of Achourian
Stereoscopic photographs showing the same chapels (see figure 34) [as in Photo.53/(034)], and the view of the valley of Achourian….
[Photo.53/(036)] The passes of the Achourian
Stereoscopic photographs of the passes of the Achourian, with a depth of nearly 200 feet. View taken from the arched…
[Photo.53/(037)] The convent of Saint Gregory, built by Prince Tigran
Stereoscopic photographs of the convent of Saint Gregory, built by Prince Tigran: the walls are decorated with pictures and magnificent…
[Photo.53/(038)] The Cathedral of Saint George constructed in 1215 by Tigrane V
Stereoscopic photographs of the Cathedral of Saint George constructed in 1215 by Tigrane V and decorated with reliefs. The carved…
[Photo.53/(039)] Hall of the library and the archives in the fort of the Church of Saint John
Stereoscopic photographs of the hall of the library and the archives in the fort of the Church of Saint John,…
[Photo.53/(040)] Described as Zhamatun of Aruits, Horomos monastery
Stereoscopic photographs of the third hall of the library. [Translated from the French original]. Also described as ‘Zhamatun of Aruits,…
[Photo.53/(041)] The Hall of the so-called Council of Bagratides
Stereoscopic photographs showing the Hall of the so-called Council of Bagratides (see figure 21) [Photo.53/(021)], parts of the destroyed walls…
[Photo.53/(042)] Described as Detail of a niche in the cathedral’s facade
Stereoscopic photographs of the niche decorated with sculptures placed at the left in the wall at the right of the…
[Photo.85/(001)] Bombay policeman, 1924
Photograph of a policeman in Bombay, taken by Fleming Mackenzie. Part of a series of 10 black and white photos…
[Photo.85/(002)] Punjab policeman, 1924
Photograph of a Punjab policeman taken by Fleming Mackenzie. Part of a series of 10 black and white photos of…
[Photo.85/(003)] Bangalore policeman, 1924
Photograh of a Bangalore policeman taken by Fleming Mackenzie in 1924. Part of a series of 10 black and white…
[Photo.85/(004] Arab railway policeman, 1924
A photograph of an Arab railway policeman taken by Fleming Mackenzie in 1924. Part of a series of 10 black…
[Photo.85/(005] Iraqi policeman, 1925
A photograph of an Iraqi policeman taken by Fleming Mackenzie in 1925. Part of a series of 10 black and…
[Photo.85/(006)] Lahore policeman, 1926
A photograph of a Lahore policeman taken by Fleming Mackenzie in 1926. Part of a series of 10 black and…
[Photo.85/(007)] Railway policeman, Hyderabad state, 1926
A photograph of a Railway policeman in Hyderabad state taken by Fleming Mackenzie in 1926. Part of a series of…
[Photo.85/(008)] British police sergeant, Madras, 1926
A photograph of a British police sergeant in Madras taken by Fleming Mackenzie in 1926. Part of a series of 10…
[Photo.85/(009)] Egyptian policeman, Port Said, 1926
A photograph of an Egyptian policeman taken by Fleming Mackenzie in Port Said in 1926. Part of a series of…
[Photo.85/(010)] Trichinopoli policeman, 1929
A photograph of a Trichinopoli policeman taken by Fleming Mackenzie in 1929. Part of a series of 10 black and white…
[Photo.86/2(001)] Group photo in Yatung
Group photo of six people including Subedar Warryam Singh of the 1st Battalion, 15th Punjab Regiment, and A. Coy. Taken…
[Photo.86/2(002)] Bertie Warren’s grave at Yatung, 1939
A photograph of Bertie Warren’s grave at Yatung in 1939. Part of a collection of 81 loose black and white…
[Photo.86/2(003)] Barley drying on racks near Yatung, 1938
Barley drying on racks near Yatung in 1938. Part of a collection of 81 loose black and white photographs…
[Photo.86/2(004)] Fleming Mackenzie and a Sikh orderly
A photograph of Fleming Mackenzie and a Sikh orderly at the top of the Tang La, watershed of the Greater…
[Photo.86/2(005)] Tibetan yak on the Phari plain at 14,000 feet
A photograph of a Tibetan yak taken on the Phari plain at 14,000 feet. Part of a collection of…
[Photo.86/2(006)] Phari Dzong with snow on the mountains behind, 14,000ft, October 1938
A photograph of Phari Dzong with snow on the mountains behind, taken at 14,000ft in October 1938. Part of a…
[Photo.86/2(007)] Village women of Phari Dzong showing the married woman’s apron and fur lined hat (Puksha)
A photograph of two village women of Phari Dzong showing the married woman’s apron and fur lined hat (Puksha). Part…
[Photo.86/2(008) A masked dancer at Gyantse, February 1939
A photograph of a masked dancer at Gyantse taken in February 1939. Part of a collection of 81 loose black…
[Photo.86/2(009)] The master of ceremonies who controlled the monastic dance, Gyantse
A photograph of the master of ceremonies who controlled the monastic dance, Gyantse. Part of a collection of 81 loose…
[Photo.86/2(010)] The master of ceremonies of the monastic dance at the monastery, Gyantse, 1939
A photograph of the master of ceremonies of the monastic dance at the monastery in Gyantse, taken in 1939. Part…
[Photo.86/2(011)] Tensing, a Sikkimese Agency Clerk and Interpreter at Gyantse
A photograph of Tensing, a Sikkimese Agency Clerk and Interpreter at Gyantse. Part of a collection of 81 loose black…
[Photo.86/2(012)] The Fortress at Gyantse, 14,000ft
A photograph of the Fortress at Gyantse, 14,000ft. Part of a collection of 81 loose black and white photographs taken…
[Photo.86/2(013)] Fleming Mackenzie with his horses Sassa and Lindy showing the saddlecloth Mackenzie designed for polo, January 1939
A photograph of Fleming Mackenzie with his horses Sassa and Lindy showing the saddlecloth Mackenzie designed for polo, January 1939….
[Photo.86/2(014)] A black hat dancer at Gyantse, February 1939
A photograph of a black hat dancer at Gyantse taken in February 1939. Part of a collection of 81 loose…
[Photo.86/2(015)] Phukong and Lacham Kusho, Duke and Duchess of Lhasa, 1939
A photograph of Phukong and Lacham Kusho, Duke and Duchess of Lhasa taken in 1939. Part of a collection of…
[Photo.86/2(016)] The Dzong, Gyantse, 1938 or 1939
A photograph of the Dzong, Gyantse, 1938 or 1939. Part of a collection of 81 loose black and white photographs…
[Photo.86/2(017)] Men with their coracles on the Ralung Chu river, Gyantse, January 1939
A photograph of men with their coracles on the Ralung Chu river, Gyantse, in January 1939. Part of a collection…
[Photo.86/2(018)] Crossing the Tsang-Po (Bramaputra) by coracle en route to Lhasa from Gyantse, 1938
Crossing the Tsang-Po (Bramaputra) by coracle en route to Lhasa from Gyantse, 1938. Part of a collection of 81 loose…
[Photo.86/2(019)] Fleming Mackenzie with his horse Sassa preparing for a game of polo, Gyantse, December 1938
A photograph of Fleming Mackenzie with his horse Sassa preparing for a game of polo, Gyantse, December 1938. Part of…
[Photo.86/2(020)] The Ralung Chu river in flood, with the bridge broken, Gyantse
A photograph of the Ralung Chu river in flood, with the bridge broken, Gyantse. In 1950 both bridges were swept…
[Photo.86/2(021)] ‘Tom Tit’, a Tibetan mastiff, aged 13, the watchdog at the barracks in Gyantse, 1938
A photograph of ‘Tom Tit’, a Tibetan mastiff, aged 13, the watchdog at the barracks in Gyantse, 1938. Part of…
[Photo.86/2(022)] ’Tom Tit’, guardian of the Trade Agency, Gyantse, 1939
A photograph of ’Tom Tit’, a Tibetan mastiff and a watchdog of the Trade Agency, taken in Gyantse, 1939. Part…
[Photo.86/2(023)] Karpo-Nang, Sikkim, 1937
A photograph of Karpo-Nang, Sikkim, 1937. Part of a collection of 81 loose black and white photographs taken by Fleming…
[Photo.86/2(024)] A wintry day on the Tang-Tun-Sum, 15,000ft, 1937
A photograph of Tang-Tun-Sum (15,000ft), taken in 1937. Part of a collection of 81 loose black and white photographs taken…
[Photo.86/2(025)] Professor Guiseppe Tucci, his wife, and the Italian Secretary, Gyantse 1939
A photograph of Professor Guiseppe Tucci, Scholar of East Asian studies specializing in Tibetan culture and the history of Buddhism,…
[Photo.86/2(026)] Nojin (23,794 ft) from across the Yamdok en route from Gyantse to Lhasa, 1938
A photograph of Nojin (23,794 ft) from across the Yamdok en route from Gyantse to Lhasa, 1938. Part of a…
[Photo.86/2(027)] Lobsang (Mackenzie’s bearer) with his wife and son, 1939
A photograph of Lobsang (Mackenzie’s bearer) with his wife and son taken in 1939. Part of a collection of 81…
[Photo.86/2(028)] Roadside Buddha carving in Red Idol Gorge (14,000ft), 1939
A photograph of a roadside Buddha carving in Red Idol Gorge (14,000ft), 1939. Part of a collection of 81 loose…
[Photo.86/2(029)] ‘Prostrating hireling’ on the Holy Walk, Lhasa
A photograph of one Mackenzie’s hired hands prostrating on the Holy Walk, Lhasa. Part of a collection of 81 loose…
[Photo.86/2(030)] ‘The Cave of delicious misery’ showing the leather covered hand, Nyen-de-kyi-buk
A photograph of ‘The Cave of delicious misery’ showing the leather covered hand, Nyen-de-kyi-buk. Part of a collection of 81…
[Photo.86/2(031)] The Bahm-So lakes by Tuna Plain (14,400ft), home of migrating wild fowl in spring and autumn, 1939
A photograph of the Bahm-So lakes by Tuna Plain (14,400ft), home of migrating wild fowl in spring and autumn, 1939….
[Photo.86/2(032)] Chok Puri (College of Medicine) underneath the Holy Walk, Lhasa, 1939
A photograph of Chok Puri (College of Medicine) underneath the Holy Walk, Lhasa, 1939. Part of a collection of 81…
[Photo.86/2(033)] 1001 Buddhas on the Holy Walk Wall, Lhasa, 1939
A photograph a carving of 1001 Buddhas on the Holy Walk Wall, Lhasa, 1939. Part of a collection of 81…
[Photo.86/2(034)] Reflection in the Bham-Tso lake of Chomolhari (24,000ft), on the way to Lhasa
A photograph showing Chomolhari (24,000ft) and its reflection in the Bham-Tso lake on the way to Lhasa. Part of a…
[Photo.86/2(035)] First glimpse of Lhasa arriving from the Tsang-Po, 1939
A photograph of the first glimpse of Lhasa when arriving from the Tsang-Po in 1939. Part of a collection of…
[Photo.86/2(036)] Wandering dancers giving a show at Lhasa, January 1939
A photograph of wandering dancers prforming at Lhasa in January 1939. Part of a collection of 81 loose black and…
[Photo.86/2(037)] Tibetan visitor to Lhasa, 1939
A photograph of Tibetan visitor to Lhasa in 1939. His rifle has a tuft of red wool in the barrel…
[Photo.86/2(038)] The Potala Palace, Lhasa, home of the Dalai Lama
A photograph of The Potala Palace, home of the Dalai Lama, Lhasa. Part of a collection of 81 loose black…
[Photo.86/2(039)] Late Thirteenth Dalai Lama, Norbhu Linga, Lhasa, 1939
A photograph of late Thirteenth Dalai Lama, Norbhu Linga in Lhasa in1939. Part of a collection of 81 loose black…
[Photo.86/2(040)] The Potala Palace, Lhasa, showing its reflection, July 1939
Two copies of a photograph of the Potala Palace in Lhasa and its reflection, taken in July 1939. Part of…
[Photo.86/2(041)] Duke and Duchess of Lhasa, with their youngest son, aged seven and the Lama son, 1939
A 1939 photograph. At the front are Phukong and Lacham Kusho, Duke and Duchess of Lhasa, with their youngest son,…
[Photo.86/2(042)] A Lama Policeman
A photograph of a Lama policeman.Part of a collection of 81 loose black and white photographs taken by Fleming Mackenzie…
[Photo.86/2(043] The Christian cemetery, Yatung, Tibet, place of burial for Bertie Warren, 1939
A photograph of the Christian cemetery in Yatung, Tibet. Bertie Warren, a subaltern of the 1st battalion, 15th Punjab Regiment,…
[Photo.86/2(044)] A Masked dancer in action
A photograph of a masked dancer in action. Part of a collection of 81 loose black and white photographs taken…
[Photo.86/2(045)] Typical Tibetan stone built home
A photograph of a typical Tibetan stone built home with stable and store on the ground floor and living quarters…
[Photo.86/2(046)] D.G. Sundius-Smith and Fleming Mackenzie in Tibet, 1939
A photograph of D.G. Sundius-Smith and Fleming Mackenzie taken in Tibet in 1939. Part of a collection of 81 loose…
[Photo.86/2(047)] Orby Clifford and Bikram Singh
A photograph of Orby Clifford and Bikram Singh. Part of a collection of 81 loose black and white photographs taken…
[Photo.86/2(048)] Devil dancer, Tibet, 1938
A photograph of a devil dancer taken in Tibet in 1938. Part of a collection of 81 loose black and…
[Photo.86/2(049)] Party of men including members of German Nazi expedition to Tibet, 1939
Group photo including members of a German Nazi expedition to Tibet under Ernst Schafer. Fleming Mackenzie has noted the names…
[Photo.86/2(050)] Fleming Mackenzie, D.G. Sundius-Smith and R.V. Clifford. Gyantse, June 1939
A photograph of Fleming Mackenzie, D.G. Sundius-Smith and R.V. Clifford taken in Gyantse in June 1939. Part of a collection…
[Photo.86/2(051)] Yatung, looking north, August 1938
A view of Yatung, looking north, August 1938. Part of a collection of 81 loose black and white photographs taken…
[Photo.86/2(052)] Potala Palace, Home of the Dalai Lama
A view of Potala Palace, the home of the Dalai Lama. Part of a collection of 81 loose black and…
[Photo.86/2(053)] Tibetan Shou (deer) at Norbhu Linka, Lhasa
A photograph of a tame Tibetan Shou (a rare at the time species of deer) at Norbhu Linka, Lhasa. Part…
[Photo.86/2(054)] Polo team, December 1938
A photograph of a polo team, December 1938. Part of a collection of 81 loose black and white photographs taken…
[Photo.86/2(055)] Potala Palace from the West
A photograph of Potala Palace, home of the Dalai Lama, viewed from the West. Part of a collection of 81…
[Photo.86/2(056)] Buddhist monks and musicians, Sikkim, September 1946
A photograph of Buddhist monks and musicians, Sikkim. This photograph is dated September 1946. Part of a collection of 81…
[Photo.86/2(057)] Nga Chen Rimpoche, a Grand Lama of Tashai-Lumpo, Shigatse, 1939
A photograph of Nga Chen Rimpoche, a Grand Lama of Tashai-Lumpo, Shigatse, 1939. Part of a collection of 81 loose…
[Photo.86/2(058)] The Sherpas, the Duke of Lhasa and Tsarong, 1937-1938
A photograph of The Sherpas (Cabinet ministers) and the Duke of Lhasa with Tsarong in centre back, 1937-1938. A negative…
[Photo.86/2(059)] The Agha of Bahnuna (Kurdistan) and his two sons, 1926
A photograph of the Agha of Bahnuna (Kurdistan) and his two sons. This photograph is dated 1926. Part of a…
[Photo.86/2(060)] The Duchess of Lhasa and her daughters in full ceremonial costume, 1938
A photograph of the Duchess of Lhasa and her daughters in full ceremonial costume in 1938. A negative and two…
[Photo.86/2(061)] Chaprasis in Mongol hats
A photograph of chaprasis (messengers) in Mongol hats. See also Photo.86/1 (017). A negative. Part of a collection of 81…
[Photo.86/2(062)] Palkor Choide, Nyangchu river valley in Gyantse
A photograph of Palkor Choide, the main monastery in the Nyangchu river valley in Gyantse. Part of a collection of…
[Photo.86/2(063)] Skin boat with a lady and a gentleman in front of it
A photograph of a skin boat with a lady and a gentleman in front of it. A negative. Part of…
[Photo.86/2(064)] The 1st Battalion, 15th Punjab Regiment
A photograph of the 1st Battalion, 15th Punjab Regiment. Part of a collection of 81 loose black and white photographs…
[Photo.86/2(065)] Landscape scene with monastery in background
A Landscape scene with monastery in background. Part of a collection of 81 loose black and white photographs taken by…
[Photo.86/2(066)] Head of 60 ft figure of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelugpa Sect of Buddhism (yellow hats) at the Great Monastery, Gyantse
A close up of the head of 60 ft figure of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelugpa Sect of Buddhism (yellow…
[Photo.86/2(067)] Lama in ceremonial dress with dungchen in the background
A photograph of a Lama in ceremonial dress. The dungchen (ceremonial long trumpets) can be seen in the background. A…
[Photo.86/2(068)] Prostrating pilgrim on his way to Lhasa, 1938
A photograph showing a prostrating pilgrim on his way to Lhasa, 1938. Two copies of this photograph in the collection….
[Photo.86/2(069)] Lady of quality
This photograph has been marked simply as ‘Lady of quality’. A negative and one print. Part of a collection of…
[Photo.86/2(070)] At the Dance of the Black Hat Lamas, Gyantse Monastery
A photograph taken on 18 February 1939 at the dance of the Black Hat Lamas at Gyantse Monastery. There are…
[Photo.86/2(071)] Fleming Mackenzie in winter uniform, Gyantse
A photograph of Fleming Mackenzie in winter uniform, Gyantse. Two copies in the collection. Part of a collection of 81…