Cotton Cleaners
Cotton cultivation in the ancient world may have originated in India 6,000 years ago.
Collotype
Jaipur Woman
This image of a reclining woman was one of the most popular postcards by the leading early Jaipur photographer and postcard publisher, Gobindram Oodeyram, and was also printed with the title Sleeping Hindu Woman.
Although the image dates from the
Simla. The Mall and Library.
Were Indians allowed on the Mall in Shimla?
Malee. (Gardener.)
The word "mali" apparently comes from the Sanskrit "mala" or garland via Hindi. Malis seem to be generally shown crouching on postcards.
[Verso, handwritten] "Upper Burma, May 8/[19]18 My dear Annie, I am pleased to hear from Mother that you got some
The River Cooum, Madras
A view of the shortest river (76 miles) to empty into the Bay of Bengal, and a long-critical artery for Chennai, at a time when it was much less polluted than today.
The Saman Burj Delhi
[Original caption] The Saman Burj or Princess Boudoir in Delhi is richly inlaid with mosaic work. Delhi. [end]
The exquisite hand-tinting of this postcard is worthy of the original design.
Pan & Aerated Water Shop, Calcutta
A postcard that reflects how easily Kolkata mixed past and present at the turn of the century. Paan is an ancient cornucopia of spices and nuts wrapped in a betel leaf. Next to it are cooling soda bottles.
Coolie Women
A rather unusual portrait of "coolie" women. While popular postcard subjects, often shown with their baskets, this studio portrait features one woman with her back to the viewer, and another looking straight into her (invisible) eyes.
Post Office, Cherat
Illustrated postcards often celebrated the post offices that made their rapid spread possible.
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.
