The Indian Portrait

An online museum on the fascinating journey of Indian Portraits
from the collection of Anil Relia

Shri Balkrishnaji Maharaj

Shri Balkrishnaji Maharaj (1868 – 1917) With other Goswami of Pushtimarg Here the tilkayat – Balkrishnaji Maharaj is seen surrounded by different tilkayats of various places. The tilkayats from places like Mathura, Kashi, Surat, Bombay and Vrundavan would generally gather during the ceremonial occasion at Kankroli. We can also see a small child in the image who is dressed […]

Painters and Photographers of Nathdwara

Painters and Photographers of Nathdwara The image is of the traditional painters and photographers of Nathdwara and the photograph has also been composed in an artistic manner using the vignette style. One can find very few photographs of the working community preserved well in the photographic history of India. Gelatin silver print, mounted 8.25 x 6 in. (21 x […]

Unidentified Parsi Family

Unidentified Parsi Family Parsis as a community were extremely progressive and adoptive of the current trends. Here we can see a Parsi family photographed in a modern setting, composed by the studio. The Taraporwala studio was run by a Parsi and was very popular within the community. Many Parsis got their photographs clicked during this era and have preserved them […]

Prince Posing on Horse

Prince Posing on Horse The prince here is shown in a royal setting with his troupe of support staff. The image was probably clicked to show the grandeur of the ruling king and his son and establish them as an authority. We can see that the horse has also been decorated with jewels and servants have a fly-wisk and […]

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869 – 1948) “I can not pose, you must let me go with my work and do the best” – this is what Gandhi said to Miss Clare Sheridan (1885-1970) – a renowned sculptor and the cousin of Sir Winston Churchill, when asked to model for her sculpture. The image shows Clare making the bust of […]

Madho Rao Scindia

Madho Rao Scindia (1876 – 1925) He was the 5th Maharaja of Gwalior belonging to the Scindian dynasty of Marathas. He acceded to the throne in 1886 and ruled till his death. He was noted by the British Government as a progressive ruler of a princely state. He married twice, but had children only by his second marriage in […]

Maharaja Jotindra Mohan Tagore

Maharaja Jotindra Mohan Tagore (1831 – 1908) The son of Harakumar Tagore, he belongs to the Pathuriaghata branch of Tagore family. As an art connoisseur he opened a museum in Tagore castle. This stereoview by James Ricalton was published in ‘India Through the Stereoscope’. On the back side of the portrait is written, “His Highness was dressed in his […]

H. H. Udaji Rao Puar

H. H. Udaji Rao Puar (1886, r. 1898 – 1926) The Maharaja of Dhar, he was the direct Maratha descendant from the famous Paramars who ruled in Malwa from 5th to 13th century having their capitals at Ujjain and Dhar. He attended the Delhi durbar at 1903 and 1911 and was awarded the gold coronation medal. Gelatin silver print […]

Sir Purniah N. Rao Krishnamurti

Sir Purniah N. Rao Krishnamurti (1849 – 1911) A lawyer and administrator, he served as the Diwan of Mysore state from 1901 to 1906. He was the direct descendant of Tipu Sultan’s Diwan. Albumen print on studio mount 13.5 x 9.25 in. (34.3 x 23.5 cm.) Photographer: E. F. H. Wiele, Bangalore, c. 1900