One of my favourite postcards by the great Colombo publisher Plate & Co., simply because the girl's stare or startled expression is so memorable. Although I used the color version in the book, this seems just as gripping. What is she looking at?
Burmese women were a common postcard subject for firms like Tucks and D.A. Ahuja, the caption dripping stereotype and prejudice.
[Original caption] Ma-Hla-Byn (Miss Pretty and Fair). Although the Burmese women may not coincide with the Western idea
This remarkable postcard shows Shankardas Swamigal's Tamil drama group on a visit to Ceylon [Sri Lanka] in 1890, although the postcard is from about 15 years later.
[Original caption] These folk are gypsies inhabiting the great Deccan of India. Their dress is decorated with shells, their arms are generally adorned with a large number of bracelets made of the bones of deer. [end]
The Banjara people, also
Houseboats were apparently popular among foreigners because the Maharajah usually did not allow foreigners to construct their own residences.
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
[Original caption] Abdul Rehman Street, Bombay. This is one of the busiest spots in the city of Bombay and also one of the principal native streets. [end]
Note the building under construction on the right.
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.
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).
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.
