The Indian Portrait

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

Unidentified Prince with Gun

Unidentified Prince with Gun A Prince is posing in a studio against a painted background, holding an unloaded gun. Among the Western photographers who settled in Madras in the late 19th century, the Germans E.U.F. Wiele and Theodor Klein became remarkably successful and famous. Later they also opened their branch in Ootacamund. Platinum print on studio mount 7.75 x […]

Sir Pratapsingh Saheb Bahadur

Sir Pratapsingh (1845 – 1922) Saheb Bahadur The Maharaja of Idar and the Regent of Jodhpur, Pratapsingh served as the Chief Minister for Jodhpur State from 1878 to 1895, following his father’s death in 1873. He travelled to Europe often and was close to Queen Victoria and her family. Gelatin silver print, mounted 20.75 x 13.75 in. (52.7 […]

Maharaja Pratap Singh

Maharaja Pratap Singh (1863 – 1911) He was the Raja of the princely state of Bansda (Gujarat) and its 20th ruler. He was educated at Rajkumar college of Rajkot and succeeded to the throne in 1876. Such studio images of royal people was an extremely lucrative business for studios and they would make multiple copies of the selected portraits […]

Young Prince from Bansda

Young Prince from Bansda, Gujarat This is probably the youngest son of Maharaja Pratap Singh the ruler of Bansda state. The studio image shows the grand demeanor of the little prince wearing his royal attire and jewelry. Platinum print on studio mount 5.75 x 4 in. (14.6 x 10.2 cm.) Photographer: Raja Deen Dayal & Sons, c. […]

Jamshetji Nusserwanji Tata

Jamshetji Nusserwanji Tata (1839 – 1904) A great captain of Indian industry A pioneering industrialist who founded the Tata Group – India’s largest conglomerate company. This 3 quarter profile portrait was taken on 15th March 1898 at Bombay Studio with glass plate negative no. 21599. The next number in the collection is at the IGNCA. […]

Moulvi Muhammed Aziz Mirza

Moulvi Muhammed Aziz Mirza (b. 1864) He studied at the Anglo-Oriental College, Aligarh and graduated with honours in English Literature and History in 1887. He came to Hyderabad when Sir Asman Jah was the Prime Minister and became his personal assistant, in 1893. In 1897, was appointed as the Secretary in charge of Judicial, Police and Administration. He was a […]

Nobleman from Central India

Nobleman from Central India Photograph clicked in the verandah or courtyard of the nobleman’s royal house. Gelatin silver print on studio mount 10.5 x 7.5 in. (26.7 x 19 cm.) Photographer: Raja Deen Dayal & Sons, Secunderabad, c. 1887

Royal Couple with child from Lucknow

Royal Couple with child from Lucknow An unidentified royal couple posing in the studio of G. W. Lawrie, a well known Scottish photographer, who worked in Lucknow in 1880’s and 1890’s. Gelatin silver print on studio mount 6 x 4.25 in. (15.2 x 10.8 cm.) Photographer: G. W. Lawrie Co., c. 1890

H. H. Thakur Saheb Bhagvatsinhji

H. H. Thakur Saheb Bhagvatsinhji (1865 – 1944) The Maharaja of Gondal state Albumen print 11.5 x 8.5 in. (29.2 x 21.6 cm.) Photographer: Poona Photographic Co., c. 1900

Nawab Sir Sher Khan Babi

Nawab Sir Sher Khan Babi (1852 – 1918) The Maharaja of Palanpur who ruled from 1878 to until his death. He assisted the British during the second Afghan war in 1879. Posing with him are his two sons Nawabzada Taley Mohammed Khan and Nawabzada Yawar Husain Khan. Gelatin silver print, mounted 10.25 x 8.25 in. (26 x 21 […]