Calcutta - Shibjee Fair
An unusually lively postcard with what seem to be wooden full circle swings or spinners common at amusement fairs. What exactly the Shibjee Fare [Fair] was is unclear.
B & W
Miss Benzir of Allahabad
The Urdu text and number suggests that this postcard was made from what was originally a carte-des-visite. Joachim Bautze in his essay Umrao Jan Ada: Her carte-de-visite describes how this form of identification on images was a common practice among
Tower of Victory, A.D. 1548, Chitorgarh.
[Original caption continues] Marks the Victory Over the Musalmans. [end]
The original Chittorgarh tower, or Vijay Stambh was constructed in the 16th century to commemorate a victory by the Rajput Maharana Kumbha over the Malwa ruler, Mohamed Khilji
Simla, looking towards Jakho
Raaja Bhasin, in his Simla The Summer Capital of British India (2011) has a nice quote about Shimla during the Raj and afterwards: "With this detached atmosphere from the rest of India, it is no wonder that the blame for the disasters of the Afghan
Baramullah, from near the Sacred Tank, Kashmir.
The city of Baramulla is about 55 km from Srinagar, and because it was a key transit point for travelers to Srinagar, one of the most popular postcard locations in Kashmir.
Madras from the Pier
The Madras Port (now called Chennai Port) is more than 125 years old. The construction of this pier was a major step as previously, bringing people and goods to land via boats from large ships was treacherous.
Postmarked 19 Feb [1907] and addressed
Shabkadar Fort (Mohmand Field Force)
[Original hand title in albumen negative] General Willock's Residence at Shabkadr [end]
The fort at the center of the Spring 1908 battles between Mohmand tribesmen and the British-Indian army.
Hotel Cecil
Hotel Cecil was one of the most famous European-owned hotels in Delhi and stood on an 11 acre park in Rajniwas Marg in Delhi's Civil Lines area. There were more than hundred rooms, a swimming pool and lush green lawns.
The Burning Ghat, Benares
Among the earliest postcards of Varanasi, this court-sized card was made from an albumen photograph (its title is still inscribed in the negative) and framed by a floral design.
At The Dussera Mysore
The fall Mysuru Dasara celebrates the victory of the Hindu goddess Chamundeshwari (Durga) over the demon Mahishasura, the event from which Mysuru's name [formerly Mysore] is derived.
