The Pagoda, Eden Gardens, Calcutta
[Original caption] The Pagoda, Eden Gardens. The Eden Gardens are beautifully laid-out grounds and were for many years the gathering place in the evening of the fashionable society of Calcutta.
People
Parsi Ladies
One of the most popular early postcards of Parsees was this arresting composite portrait by Clifton & Co. The original albumen likely dates to the late 1890s.
Sepoy Chatta Singh V.C., of the 9th Bhopal Infantry
[Original caption] A RAJPUT V.C. "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in leaving cover to assist in his Commanding Officer who was lying wounded and helpless in the open.
The Postman
While an exchange of written messages has been part of history for a long time, the concept of a regular postal service seems to have arisen in Europe during the 15th century when French students were requesting so many goods, a regular service was
Clive Examining the Enemy's Lines
Famous British Battles, Plassey June 25, 1737
[Original caption] Plassey.
Preaching by Riverside, Chittagong Hill
One of the more puzzling things in Raj postcard history is the lack of postcards from what is now Bangladesh; East Bengal and Dhaka in particular seem to have been far less covered by the new medium at the turn of the century than the rest of the
Roman Catholic Bishops - Rangoon
An exceptionally rare postcard that makes one wonder how large a market there would have been for these well-fed gentlemen, and whether they were all really bishops – though this seems likely as there are currently 13 bishops in Myanmar.
JRE Hall Line Shipping - Karachi
An early advertising postcard for the Hall Line, which was bought by the larger Ellerman Lines in 1903 (the firm lasted under this name until 2004). Note how nicely a traditional boat and fisherman populate the foreground, a sailing boat in the
Serravallo's Tonic
An early advertising postcard that makes you wonder if it is really India that is being shown, or perhaps an Arab scene?
Native Constable
The Indian Councils Act of 1861 was the foundation for the Indian Police Service, one whose fine exemplars was this Calcutta Policeman, which the emblem on his belt so proudly proclaims. His instrument of choice is the lathi, from the Bengali word
