Postcard

Golden Temple, Umritsar

Golden Temple, Umritsar

This postcard is probably among the earliest of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, given the undivided back, and Clifton's role as one of the earliest all-India postcard publishers. It is probably from a 19th century albumen print.

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Hindu Jugglers

Hindu Jugglers

Although the origin of the word juggler as "one skilled in keeping several objects in motion in the air at the same time by alternately tossing and catching them" goes back to the 14th century and seems to stem from the Middle English "jogelour

Lahore, Zamzama Gun

Lahore, Zamzama Gun

The gun in front of Lahore Museum that was made famous in Rudyard Kipling's novel Kim which begins "He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam-Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Aijab Ghar–the Wonder House, as the natives

The Indo-Afghan Border

The Indo-Afghan Border

The border signboard at Torkham at the end of the Khyber Pass in what was then Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP, now known as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) read: "FRONTIER OF INDIA TRAVELLERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO PASS THIS NOTICE BOARD UNLESS THEY HAVE

The Ceylon Pavilion

The Ceylon Pavilion

[Original caption]The Ceylon Pavilion with its four entrance lamps at Kandy is a faithful copy of the old Kandyan style of architecture, the panels and circular moonstones of the doorway having been rbought from Ceylon.

Toddy Drawers

Toddy Drawers

Toddy or palm wine as made from sap collected by climbers like this one in little pouches; fermentation was so fast in the humid air that a mildly alcoholic drink could be had in a few hours.

A Parsee Lady

A Parsee Lady

Parsis in India originally came from Iran (Persia), and Parsi ladies were among the first Indian women to have had an active public life, no doubt helped by a high literacy rate in the community (there is a postcard or letter in the woman's hand).

Water Carrier

Water Carrier

The bhistee or water carrier was a critical support to urban life before running water became widespread and reliable, and is one of the most frequent postcard subjects.

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