Commonwealth News_The fascinating history of South Asia in the 19th and the early 20th centuries come to life in an invaluable collection of photographs acquired by The Getty Research Institute. Given that South Asia was under colonial rule but yet, maintained the uniqueness of its colourful and captivating history, the 4,625 photographs depict chapters and stories in all its nuances in each intriguing image.
Owned by Ken and Jenny Jacobson and now belonging to the Getty Research Institute, the collection narrates stories, chronicles eras and documents life in times under the British Raj, showcasing people, social customs, religious practices, landscapes and architecture.
The Jacobson collection, collated over a period of five decades from 285 sources, has been billed by the Getty Research Institute as a unique one, and a foremost research and teaching source during a complex historical period. The collection of photographs is often seen through a colonial lens given that it was created during European domination of the subcontinent. The sheer breadth and scope make for a treasure trove for scholars studying South Asian history and culture showcasing the multiple hues of the political and social climate in that period.
The collection also has the unique feature of having a multiplicity of nationalities behind the lens – 61 Indian photographers make up the majority, adding to the work of British, French, German, Italian, Chinese, American and Zanibari encompassing a total of 235 photographers. Within the collection is a unique album of nearly 400 photographs put together by a Miss Armitage, documenting a trip to India and Burma during the coronation event held by the British Raj, the 1911 Delhi Durbar. The processes used for the photographs include daguerreotype to photochromes.
