Our Dhoby, Madras
The dhobi was a favorite postcard subject, with the colors on this postcard - note the brilliant white - likely stenciled in by the publisher in India.
Chennai
Chalking the Doorstep, Madras
The Kolam tradition of creating complex geometric patterns, often passed down from mother to daughter, out of rice flour or chalk in front of the home is an ancient tradition in South India and elsewhere.
Jill In The Box
A thematically most unusual postcard.
Mowbrays Road, Madras
Mowbray's Road in Madras (now Chennai) was named after George Mowbray, who arrived in Madras in 1771. Originally a bullock cart track, it was acquired by George Mowbray in the late 18th century and led to Mowbray's garden house, which became the
The Marina, Madras
The 6.0 km long stretch is the second largest urban beach in the world (after Cox's Bazaar in Bangladesh), shown here with part of the Senate House, the administrative heart of the University of Madras, built in the late 1870s.
Chalking the Doorstep, Madras
Kolams or muggulu are thought to bring prosperity to homes. These intricate rice flour decorations are made by women in front of doorsteps primarily in Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Feeding a Thousand Souls Women, Ritual, and Ecology in
Catamaran
Adressed to Miss E. Eraston [sp?] in London, date unclear: "You see hundreds of these things going right out to sea for fishing. E. J. L."
Banyan Tree, Madras
A postcard which represents something of the uneasy relationships during the colonial period. The ancient banyan tree is hemmed in by fencing and benches. Two bearded British men are enjoying a drink under its shade.
S.M.S. Emden
[Original German titles, translated] "Emden" Five English Ships in the Bay of Bengal. Upon the Return of First Lieutenant v. Muecke with the Emden crew in Germany [end]
The story of His Majesty's Ship the Emden is one of the most captivating of World
Mount Road, Madras
The most important road in Chennai, now known as Anna Salai, and originally known St. Thomas Mount Road. It ran from the European settlement at Fort St. George to St. Thomas Mount where the Apostle St. Thomas ("Doubting Thomas") was killed in 72 CE.
