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.

View collection as thumbnails

• China Glass Slides
  • View all China Glass Slides
  
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  • [Glass Slide.01/(001)] Zonghuamen, the first gate to the Imperial City, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(002)] Building at Temple of Heaven complex
  • [Glass slide.01/(003)] Forbidden City, Beijing
  • [Glass slide.01/(004)] Coal Hill, Imperial City, Peking
  • [Glass slide.01/(005)] Er Dow Men, Great Wall of China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(006)] Palace, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(007)] Great Wall of China, Badaling
  • [Glass Slide.01/(008)] Qianmen, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(009a)] Temple of Heaven, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(009b)] Stone Courtyard, the Temple of Heaven complex
  • [Glass Slide.01/(010)] Huxinting and the Nine Curve Bridge
  • [Glass Slide.01/(011)] Huxinting and the Nine Curve Bridge
  • [Glass Slide.01/(012)] Yu Garden, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(013)] Yu Garden, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(014)] Former French Concession, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(015)] Street Scene, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(016)] Fuzhou Road, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(017)] Fuzhou Road, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(018)] Temple God, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(019)] The Bubbling Well, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(020)] Former French Concession, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(021)] A Port in China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(022)] Zhenhai Tower and city wall, Guangzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(023)] Buddhist Monks, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(024)] Henan Road, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(025)] Horse & Cart, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(026)] Henan Road, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(027)] Ming Tombs, Nanjing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(028)] Ming Xiaoling, Nanjing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(029)] Nanjing Road, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(030)] Old fort, Mudu, near Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(031)] Precious Belt Bridge, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(032)] Lake Scenery, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(033)] Garden, Hangzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(034)] Garden, Hangzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(035)] Twin pagodas at Luohanyuan Temple, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(036)] Garden, Hangzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(037)] Circular Mound Altar, Temple of Heaven complex, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(038)] Southern Putuo Monastery, Xiamen
  • [Glass slide.01/(039)] Gates to the Summer Palace, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(040)] Nanjing Road, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(041)] Bridge, Nanjing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(042)] Yi Feng Gate, Nanjing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(043)] Market Stalls, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(044)] Temple, Guangzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(045)] Yang Jin Bang Creek, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(046)] Gates to the Summer Palace, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(047)] Garden, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(048)] Architecture, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(049)] Rural Scene, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(050)] Ming Xiaoling, Nanjing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(051)] Rural Scene, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(052)] Fukien Temple, Ningbo
  • [Glass Slide.01/(053)] Chinese Courthouse, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(054)] Chinese Family, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(055)] Henan Road, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(056)] Fishing Boat, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(057)] Chinese Mandarin, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(058)] Junk, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(059)] Mourning Altar, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(060)] Ploughing a Field, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(061)] Performers, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(062)] Fishing, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(063)] Rickshaw, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(064)] Sampan, Ningbo
  • [Glass Slide.01/(065)] Chinese Couple, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(066)] Wedding Procession, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(067)] Rural Scene, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(068)] Chinese Home, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(069)] Landscape, Guangzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(070)] Rural Scene, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(071)] Gateway, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(072)] Chinese Family, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(073)] Chinese Family, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(074)] Ancestor Worship, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(075)] Zongli Yamen (?), Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(076)] Temple, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(077)] Temple of Heaven, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(078)] Summer Palace, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(079)] Gates of the Summer Palace, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(080)] Marble Boat, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(081)] Gateway, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(082)] Ming Tombs, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(083)] Five Pagoda Temple, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(084)] Musicians, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(085)] Musicians, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(086)] Pagoda of Cishou Temple, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(087)] Actors, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(088)] Chinese Woman, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(089)] Merchant & his Family, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(090)] Amah & Baby, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(091)] Manchu Woman, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(092)] Sedan Chairs, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(093)] Suppertime, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(094)] Dinnertime, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(095)] The Bund, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(096)] Temple of Heaven, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(097)] Ming City Wall Ruins, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(098)] Ming City Wall Ruins, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(099)] Beisi Pagoda, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(100)] Henan Road, Shanghai
  • [Glass slide.01/(101)] Temple, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(102)] Village Houses, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(103)] Beihai Park, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(104)] White Pagoda, Beihai Park, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(105] Houses, Nanjing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(106)] Rice Fields, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(107)] Street Sellers, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(108)] Street View, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(109)] Golden Island, Jiangsu
  • [Glass Slide.01/(110)] Golden Island, Jiangsu
  • [Glass Slide.01/(111)] Golden Island, Jiangsu
  • [Glass Slide.01/(112)] Golden Island, Jiangsu
  • [Glass Slide.01/(113)] Golden Island, Jiangsu
  • [Glass Slide.01/(114)] Golden Island, Jiangsu
  • [Glass Slide.01/(115)] Temple, Jiangsu
  • [Glass Slide.01/(116)] Temple, Jiangsu
  • [Glass Slide.01/(117)] Ming Tombs, Nanjing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(118)] Confucian Temple, Nanjing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(119)] Confucian Temple, Nanjing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(120)] Temple, Wuhu
  • [Glass Slide.01/(121)] Soldiers, Nanjing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(122)] Yellow Crane Tower, Wuhan
  • [Glass Slide.01/(123)] Wuhu, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(124)] Little Orphan Island, Anqing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(125)] Beijing, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(126)] Seated Official, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(127)] Prince Chun & Henry Pu-Yi
  • [Glass Slide.01/(128)] Foreign Minister Tseng, Prince Chun, Li Hongzhang
  • [Glass Slide.01/(129)] Seated Official, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(130)] Li Hongzhang
  • [Glass Slide.01/(131)] Ancient Observatory, Beijing
  • [Glass Slide.01/(132)] Gathered Crowd of People, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(133)] Cobblers, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(134)] Fortune Tellers, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(135)] Street Seller, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(136)] Irrigation, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(137)] Irrigation, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(138)] Foot Binding, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(139)] Wheelbarrow as Transport, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(140)] Chinese Women, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(141)] Landscape, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(142)] Pagoda, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(143)] Dockside, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(144)] View of Buildings, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(145)] Water Gate, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(146)] Landscape, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(147)] City Wall, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(148)] Landscape, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(149)] Fishing Nets, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(150)] Suzhou, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(151)] Bridge, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(152)] Architecture, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(153)] Bridges, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(154)] River with Sampans, Hangzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(155)] Pagodas, Hangzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(156)] Garden, Jiading
  • [Glass Slide.01/(157)] River Scene, Ningbo
  • [Glass Slide.01/(158)] Sampan, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(159)] Foot Boat, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(160)] Cantonese Woman, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(161)] Cathedral, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(162] Longhua Pagoda, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(163)] Opium Smokers, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(164)] Opium Smokers, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(165)] Canton Road, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(166)] Henan Road, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(167)] Mandarin & Wife, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(168)] Front Building, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(169)] Creek, Suzhou
  • [Glass Slide.01/(170)] Arsenal, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(171)] Cotton Spinning, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(172)] Silk Filature, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(173)] Execution, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(174)] Cangue, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(175)] Cangue, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(176)] Chinese Court, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(177)] Chinese Court, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(178)] Pavilions, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(179)] Street Scene, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(180)] Old Northern Gate, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(181)] The Bund, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(182)] The Bund, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(183)] The Bund, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(184)] Silk Filature, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(185)] West Gate, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(186)] Mixed Court, China
  • [Glass slide.01/(187)] Nanjing Road, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(188)] Yang Jin Bang Creek, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(189)] Fuzhou Road, Shanghai
  • [Glass Slide.01/(190)] Wheelbarrow as Transport, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(191)] Promenade, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(192)] Sampans, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(193)] Carpenters, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(194)] Gamblers, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(195)] Barbers, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(196)] Straw Raincoats, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(197)] Packing Tea, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(198)] Rattan Shields, China
  • [Glass Slide.01/(199)] Promenade, China
• [Photo.12] South Indian Architecture and Scenery
  • View all [Photo.12] South Indian Architecture and Scenery
  
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  • [Photo.12/(001)] Teppa Tank, Madura
  • [Photo.12/(002)] Madura, the Southern Gopuram [of the Minakshi Sundareshvara Temple] from the east
  • [Photo.12/(003)] Madura, the temple jewels [Minakshi Sundareshvara Temple?]
  • [Photo.12/(004)] Trichinopoly, the Rock and the Tank from the old Gateway
  • [Photo.12/(005)] Coonoor, Black Bridge on the ghat
  • [Photo.12/(006)] Coonoor, Glen View Hotel, distant view
  • [Photo.12/(007)] Coonoor, Sims Park, the Lake
  • [Photo.12/(008)] Coonoor, Runnymede Waterfall
  • [Photo.12/(009)] Coonoor, Hoolical Droog in the mist
  • [Photo.12/(010)] Towards Coonoor, from Lamb’s Rock
  • [Photo.12/(011)] Ootacamund, Charing Cross
  • [Photo.12/(012)] Ootacamund, the Lake from Willow Bund
  • [Photo.12/(013)] Ootacamund, the Lake and Elk Hill from Erin Cottage
  • [Photo.12/(014)] Ootacamund, the Lake from the west
  • [Photo.12/(015)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], General view of the rathas (monolithic temples), Dharmaraja’s in foreground
  • [Photo.12/(016)] Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], Draupadi and Arjuna Rathas
  • [Photo.12/(017)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], the Split Temple [Bhima Ratha]
  • [Photo.12/(018)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], the Ganesa Temple, a very elegant structure
  • [Photo.12/(019)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], Yemopooram Temple [Mahishamardini Cave Temple]
  • [Photo.12/(020)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], Woolacalundha Temple
  • [Photo.12/(021)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], the Butter Stone [Krishna’s Butterball]
  • [Photo.12/(022)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], nearer view of the left portion of the carvings [Arjuna’s Penance]
  • [Photo.12/(023)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], nearer view of the left portion of the carvings [Arjuna’s Penance]
  • [Photo.12/(024)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], Vishnu Trivikrama [Varaha Cave Temple?]
  • [Photo.12/(025)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], the conflict between Durga and the evil spirit Mahishasura [Mahishamardini Cave Temple]
  • [Photo.12/(026)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], the herds of the cowherd Nunda in Kristna’s Choultry
  • [Photo.12/(027)] The Seven Pagodas [Mamallapuram], the Shore Temple
• [Photo.13] Architectural Views of India
  • View all [Photo.13] Architectural Views of India
  
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  • [Photo.13/(001)] Tomb of Mahomed Ghaus, Gwalior Fort
  • [Photo.13/(002)] Interior of North Room, Man Mandir, Gwalior Fort
  • [Photo.13/(003)] Sas Bahu Temple, Gwalior Fort
  • [Photo.13/(004)] Teli-ka-Mandir, Gwalior Fort
  • [Photo.13/(005)] Centre archway of Arhai-din-ka-Jhonpra, Ajmer
  • [Photo.13/(006)] View of Durgah, Ajmer
  • [Photo.13/(007)] Anna Sagor Lake, Ajmer
  • [Photo.13/(008)] City view from the Palace, Amber
  • [Photo.13/(009)] Street view, Jaipur
  • [Photo.13/(010)] The Palace, Amber
  • [Photo.13/(011)] North corner of the Amber Lake
  • [Photo.13/(012)] Jaipur Palace
  • [Photo.13/(013)] Inside the City Palace, Alwar
  • [Photo.13/(014)] Marble Cenotaph of the Maharaja, Alwar
  • [Photo.13/(015)] City view, Alwar
  • [Photo.13/(017)] The Water Palace [Gopal Bhavan], Dig
  • [Photo.13/(018)] Lahore Gate of the Fort, Delhi
  • [Photo.13/(019)] Interior view of the Sumon Barj, Delhi
  • [Photo.13/(020)] The Kashmiri Gate, Delhi
  • [Photo.13/(021)] The Qutb Minar, Delhi
• [Photo.14] Topographical Views of India
  • View all [Photo.14] Topographical Views of India
  
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  • [Photo.14/(001)] View looking towards the River Hugli from the Ochterlony Monument, Calcutta
  • [Photo.14/(002)] Scene in the Eden Gardens, Calcutta
  • [Photo.14/(003)] Lankeshvara Shrine, Kailasanatha Rock-cut Temple, Ellora
  • [Photo.14/(004)] Dherwada Cave Temple, Ellora
  • [Photo.14/(005)] Side porch of rock-cut temple with sculptured figures
  • [Photo.14/(006)] Elephanta Cave Temple
  • [Photo.14/(007)] Entrance to cave temple, Elephanta
  • [Photo.14/(008)] Interior of Elephanta Cave Temple
  • [Photo.14/(009)] The Bund Gardens, Poona
  • [Photo.14/(010)] View on the Bund at Poona
  • [Photo.14/(011)] Back Bay, Bombay
  • [Photo.14/(012)] Bombay from Malabar Hill
  • [Photo.14/(013)] Malabar Hill from the Rajabai Tower, Bombay
  • [Photo.14/(014)] Malabar Hill from the Rajabai Tower, Bombay
  • [Photo.14/(015)] Mahalakshmi Temple, Breach Candy, Bombay
  • [Photo.14/(016)] Darjeeling
  • [Photo.14/(017)] Darjeeling
  • [Photo.14/(018)] Sunset on Kinchenjunga, from Darjeeling
  • [Photo.14/(019)] Tista Valley
  • [Photo.14/(020)] Road up to Darjeeling
  • [Photo.14/(021)] Road up to Darjeeling
  • [Photo.14/(022)] The railway view from Goomti Corner
  • [Photo.14/(023)] View on the Darjeeling Hill Railway
  • [Photo.14/(024)] Tree ferns, Darjeeling
• [Photo.22] Views of China and Hong Kong
  • View all [Photo.22] Views of China and Hong Kong
  
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  • [Photo.22/(001)] Aftermath of a typhoon
  • [Photo.22/(002)] Waterfront after typhoon, 1874.
  • [Photo.22/(003)] Steamer, ashore after Typhoon
  • [Photo.22/(004)] Destroyed building after typhoon
  • [Photo.22/(005)] Aberdeen Dock after typhoon
  • [Photo.22/(007)] Flagstaff at Victoria Peak after typhoon
  • [Photo.22/(008)] Clubhouse, Hong Kong, opposite Post Office
  • [Photo.22/(009)] Panoramic view of Hong Kong in two sheets
  • [Photo.22/(010)] Happy Valley Racecourse, Hong Kong
  • [Photo.22/(011)] Cemetery, Hong Kong, Happy Valley. Naval Hospital on the hill
  • [Photo.22/(012)] Shipping in Hong Kong Harbour
  • [Photo.22/(013)] British naval vessel in dry dock, Hong Kong
  • [Photo.22/(014)] Soochow Creek, Shanghai
  • [Photo.22/(015)] Bund, Hankow
  • [Photo.22/(016)] Pagoda, Wuchang, opposite Hankow
  • [Photo.22/(017)] Tea plantation, Yang li Moon (above Hankow)
  • [Photo.22/(018)] Little Orphan Island, Yangtze River
  • [Photo.22/(019)] Chinese barbers at work in a courtyard
  • [Photo.22/(020)] Opium smokers
  • [Photo.22/(021)] Labelling and packing brick tea
  • [Photo.22/(022)] Chinese family group
  • [Photo.22/(023)] Peking Observatory
  • [Photo.22/(024)] Jesuit Observatory on wall of Peking
  • [Photo.22/(025)] View of the Whampoo River
• [Photo.24] Portrait photos of Orientalists
  • View all [Photo.24] Portrait photos of Orientalists
  
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  • [Photo.24/(001)] Alexander Hayman Wilson
  • [Photo.24/(002)] Sir Charles Lyall
  • [Photo.24/(003)] George FitzClarence
  • [Photo.24/(004)] William Lambton
  • [Photo.24/(005)] Henry Lansdell
  • [Photo.24/(007)] Edward Denning
  • [Photo.24/(008)] Garcin de Tassy
  • [Photo.24/(009)] Sir Monier Monier-Williams
  • [Photo.24/(010)] Sir Donald McLeod
  • [Photo.24/(011)] W.S.W. Vaux
  • [Photo.24/(012)] Arthur Coke Burnell
  • [Photo.24/(013)] W.J. Sinclair
  • [Photo.24/(014)] Edward Thomas
  • [Photo.24/(015)] Edward Thomas
  • [Photo.24/(016)] Oliver Codrington
  • [Photo.24/(018)] E.L. Brandreth
  • [Photo.24/(020)] Reinhold Rost
  • [Photo.24/(021)] John Faithfull Fleet
  • [Photo.24/(022)] Charles J. Rogers
  • [Photo.24/(023)] Sir George Campbell
  • [Photo.24/(024)] Rajendralal Mitra
  • [Photo.24/(025)] Sir William Wilson Hunter
  • [Photo.24/(026)] T.W. Rhys Davids
  • [Photo.24/(027)] Lord Reay
  • [Photo.24/(028)] George Pearse
  • [Photo.24/(029)] William Dwight Whitney
  • [Photo.24/(033)] Sir Thomas Wade
  • [Photo.24/(034)] Sir George Grierson
  • [Photo.24/(035)] Lord Reay
  • [Photo.24/(036)] Edwin Norris
  • [Photo.24/(037)] F.E. Pargiter
  • [Photo.24/(038)] Oliver Codrington
  • [Photo.24/(039)] D.C. Phillott
  • [Photo.24/(041)] Captain Baldwin