Sudder Bazaar, Karachi

This most interesting thing in this composite street scene is the way it brings the many forces of colonialism into view. In the distant background is Karachi's mammoth St. Patrick's Cathedral. In the foreground are a long line of local residents, some poor, some richer, leading up to two British policemen, given all the space they need (one man appears to be darting behind them). Most arresting is the large street lamp that dwarfs even the Gizri sandstone buildings coming up on the left and right side of the cantonment road. Inscribed under one shop hoarding on the left is the number 4927 prefixed by a B or 8 – the original albumen photograph number or postcard printers code, to help with the identification and reproduction of future copies.