Aleph Number:
Collection is open for research.
However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
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.
[Identification of item], Raja Deen Dayal photographs, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
The Raja Deen Dayal photographs were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2012.
Processed by Joanne Fairhurst and Paula Jeannet Mangiafico, October 2012.
Encoded by Joanne Fairhurst and Paula Jeannet Mangiafico, Matthew Warren, November 2012.
Accession(s) described in this finding aid: 2012-0119.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory:
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
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
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.
These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.
Comprised of 17 silver gelatin prints, originally housed in a photo album. Original titles and spellings have been retained. Dimensions vary and are noted.
Unless otherwise noted, prints in this series measure 9x11". Original titles and spellings have been retained. Two prints are gelatin silver, and the remainder are albumens.