Raja Deen Dayal photographs, circa 1870s-1905

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Summary

Creator:
Deen Dayal, Raja, 1844-1905
Abstract:
Indian-born professional photographer active in the last half of the 19th century; died in 1905. Collection of 51 large albumen and gelatin silver photographs mounted on mat board, taken by professional photographer Raja Deen Dayal, which offer insights into the culture, history, and environment of India in the last decades of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century. The prints range in size from 5x8" to 9x11", and document the 1903 visit of Duke and Duchess of Connaught, which includes marshalling of troops and parades, various archaeological sites, monuments, and natural vistas. Images are arranged by print number, some of which are original and some assigned by the dealer (in brackets). Acquired as part of the Archive of Documentary Arts at Duke University.
Extent:
3 Linear Feet
51 Items
Language:
Material in English
Collection ID:
RL.00296

Background

Scope and content:

Collection of 51 large albumen and gelatin silver photographs mounted on mat board, taken by professional photographer Raja Deen Dayal, which offer insights into the culture, history, and environment of India in the last decades of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century. The prints range in size from 5x8" to 9x11", and document the 1903 visit of Duke and Duchess of Connaught, which includes marshalling of troops and parades; various archaeological sites (Delhi, Pesawar, Kashmir, Sriniggur); monuments; and natural vistas. Images are arranged by print number, some of which are original and some assigned by the dealer (in brackets).

Of the 51 photographs, 17 portray the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Connaught's visit to Gwalior State in 1903. These gelatin silver photographs were previously housed in an album; now they are singly mounted on mat board and measure from 5"x8" to 12"x8". Several of the images capture the marshalling of troops and a military review, others the elaborate furnishings of the Duke and Duchess' living quarters, others still, opulently adorned elephants. Some retain the original captions.

The remaining 34 photographs document various archaeological and natural sites in India. Of special interest are the Jama Masjid, the Qutub Minar, and the tomb of Nizam-ud-Din. Deen Dayal also captured images of places such as the Pir Panjal mountain route into Kashmir and the glaciers above Gulmarg, Kashmir. The prints also portray the Lidder Valley, Kashmir, River Ghelum and various forts. There are also a few street scenes in Delhi and various architectural details of the Jain Temple in Chittore Fort and the Taj Mahal. Two of the photographs are gelatin silver prints and the remainder are albumen. The prints all measure 9"x11".

Acquired as part of the Archive of Documentary Arts at Duke University.

Biographical / historical:

Raja Deen Dayal (1844-1905) was born in Sardhana, Uttar Pradesh, to a family of jewellers. In his early career, he trained as an engineer, but while working as a draughtsman he was introduced to photography. In the mid-1870s, he started taking photographs professionally. His reputation grew quickly. At 30 years of age, he won the patronage of Maharaja Tukoji Rao II of Indore. He then photographed the Prince of Wales' visit in 1875. Meanwhile he also traveled extensively to document India's natural vistas and monuments. In 1885, he became the court photographer to the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad, Mahbub Ali Khan, Asif Jah VI, and was also appointed to the Viceroy of India. He was bequeathed with the title "Raja" and Queen Victoria honored him with a Royal Warrant. He also set up studios in Mumbai, Hyderbad and Indore. At his death in 1905, he was a leading photographer in India, known especially for his unique visual perspectives not only on the court, but also on India's monuments, natural vistas, and archaeological sites.

Acquisition information:
The Raja Deen Dayal photographs were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2012.
Processing information:

Processed by Joanne Fairhurst and Paula Jeannet, October 2012.

Encoded by Joanne Fairhurst and Paula Jeannet, Matthew Warren, November 2012.

Accession(s) described in this finding aid: 2012-0119.

Arrangement:

Prints are arranged in two series: the first group was housed in a photograph album and commemorate a visit to India by the Duke and Duchess of Connaught in 1903, and are arranged in original order as they appeared in the album, with identification numbers in brackets supplied by the dealer; the second group consists of loose prints arranged by the photographer's original negative numbers.

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
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Contents

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Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Raja Deen Dayal photographs, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.