DACS

holmesphotos Inventory of the R. B. Holmes photographs, 1910-1919 and undated Processed by: Paula Jeannet Mangiafico; machine-readable finding aid created by: Paula Jeannet Mangiafico David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, N.C., USA

Aleph Number: 004161561

Machine-readable finding aid derived from XML authoring program. Date of source: December 2009Processed by Paula Jeannet Mangiafico, December 2009; finding aid encoded by Paula Jeannet Mangiafico, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, December 2009 Date of source: October 2011Additions processed by Alice Poffinberger, October 2011; finding aid updated by Alice Poffinberger, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, October 2011 Description is in English Finding aid was prepared using DACS and local Style Guide Inventory of the R. B. Holmes photographs, 1910-1919 and undated David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, North Carolina 27708-0185 USA

Descriptive Summary David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University Holmes, Randolph Bezant, 1888-1973. R. B. Holmes photographs, 1910-1919 and undated Material in English 3.5 Linear Feet 92 Items For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog. Commercial photographer active in Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan during first half of the 20th century. Collection of ninety-two 11.5 x 9.5" black-and-white photographic prints of Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan. The images were taken by British photographer R. B. (Randolph Bezzant) Holmes and possibly others from his studio who traveled with him. Holmes was the owner of the R. B. Holmes & Co. photography studio in Peshawar, Pakistan. The majority of these detailed images were taken during the end of the Anglo-Afghan war in 1919 and depict large British military camps and vast landscapes, sometimes with camel caravans or military convoys. Some scenes show the remains of villages, military features such as towers, and religious structures. There are also portraits of individuals along with scenic views. Several of the images have been hand-tinted, probably by Holmes himself. Acquired as part of the Archive of Documentary Arts. Administrative Information Access Restrictions

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.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], R. B. Holmes photographs, 1910-1919 and undated, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University

Provenance

The R. B. Holmes Afghan War Photographs were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Processing Information

Processed by Paula Jeannet Mangiafico, December 2009

Encoded by Paula Jeannet Mangiafico, December 2009

Updated for additions by Alice Poffinberger, December 2010 and October 2011

Accessions 2009-0117, 2010-0181, 2010-0194, 2011-0121, 2011-0122 and 2011-0212 are described in this finding aid.

Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.

Biographical Note

Randolph Bezzant Holmes was born in 1888. He was a commercial photographer who took over the business established by his father, William D. Homes, around 1899 in Peshawar, Pakistan. Holmes was an official photographer of the Afghan Wars on the North West Frontier in Afghanistan. He also spent time in Kashmir and in other Asian locales. Later in life he also painted watercolor landscapes from the same areas. In 1929 he published a memoir of his time in Afghanistan, Story of the North West Frontier Province, Peshawar, containing gelatin print plates of his landscapes. Holmes died in 1973.

Collection Overview

Collection of ninety-two 11.5 x 9.5" black-and-white photographic prints of Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan. The images were taken by British photographer R. B. (Randolph Bezzant) Holmes and possibly others from his studio who traveled with him. Holmes was the owner of the R. B. Holmes & Co. photography studio in Peshawar, Pakistan. The majority of these detailed images were taken during the end of the Anglo-Afghan war in 1919 and depict large British military camps and vast landscapes, sometimes with camel caravans or military convoys. Some scenes show the remains of villages, military features such as towers, and religious structures. There are portraits of individuals, including camel drivers, a sniper, a female spinner, a young woman dressed in traditional wear, and various groups. The landscape views include the Khyber Pass, Tanai Gorge, Kabul River, Khargali Ridge, Dal Lake, Nanga Parbat, and the Sikkim Himalaya. Military camp views, many in panoramic scale with fine detail, include Landi Khana, Dakka Plain, and Landi Kotal.

The majority of the prints contain an identification number originally marked on the negative, and the prints are arranged in numerical order accordingly. A list of the prints created from the studio's original list of commercially available prints, with captions and numbers when available, is in each of the boxes in the collection. There are a few images that do not appear on this list but have numbers assigned to them, and some are entirely unnumbered. Items not on the original list have been placed in the collection according to their subject matter. There are duplicate copies of several images. Also, some of the images have been hand-tinted, probably by Holmes himself. Acquired as part of the Archive of Documentary Arts.

Subject Headings

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.

Holmes, Randolph Bezant, 1888-1973. Great Britain. Army -- History -- 20th century. R. B. Holmes & Co. (Peshawar) Afghan Wars. Afghan Wars--Pictorial works. Afghanistan--Pictorial works. Pakistan--Pictorial works. India--Pictorial works. Afghanistan--Social conditions--20th century. Pakistan--Social conditions--20th century. India--Social conditions--20th century. Black-and-white photographs. Related Material R. B. Holmes Collection (papers and photographs) Macmillan Brown Library, University of Canterbury, New Zealand Contents of Collection R. B. Holmes photographs, 1910-1919 and undated (3 boxes)

Print numbers were assigned by the photographer; an original list of complete prints, with numbers, offered by the studio for commercial purposes is included in the box. There is also an annotated copy of this list that reflects the library's holdings.

1 1Jamrud Fort and entrance to the Khyber Pass. (2 copies, one housed with Print 9) 2Entering the Khyber Pass. Camel Convoy. 3Ali Musjid Camp. 4Exit of the Khyber into the Peshawar Plains. (2 copies, one housed with Print 35) 5Looking North through the Gorge at Ali Musjid. 6Looking South through the Gorge at Ali Musjid. (Two copies, one housed with Print 15) 7Camp at Landi Kotal (left half of panorama). 7aCamp at Landi Kotal (right half of panorama). 9Looking towards the water works on the road to Landi Khanna. 11On the road to Landi Khana looking towards Kbargali ridge. 15Looking through the Tytler Gorge towards Landi Khanna. 16Looking through the Tanai Gorge towards Landi Khanna. 18Khargali Ridge and Bagh (left half of panorama). 20From Kafirkote over looking the Khargali Ridge. The battle-ground of the 11th May 1919, Bagh Springs and village in the distance and remains of old Budhist Stupa on extreme left. 21From Kafirkote towards Dakka. Kabul river in the distance and remains of old Grecian Fort wall on near hill. 22Entering the Dakka Plain. 25Untitled. Dakka camp, Kabul River? 25aUntitled. Dakka camp, Kabul River? 26Dakka camp, Kabul River. 27Dakka camp showing Fort Robart and Kabul river. 31Looking across the Kabul river, showing ferry. 32After bombardment view of Loe Dakka and the main road showing deserted villages towards Landi Khana. 35A view of villages in the Khyber. 37Looking towards Jallalabad. Taken from a picquet during an engagement. 51Tribal towers and villages. 58A general view of Ali Musjid from the fort. 70Landi Khana and tribal villages. (2 copies) 73Khyber Pass near Landi Khana. P.5The end of the caravan crosses into Afghanistan from the Khyber. 84In the Hingis Tangi. (2 copies) 85Looking across the Tank Zam towards Jandola. 88Entering the Ahnai Tangi. 89Looking through the Ahnai Tangi (near). 92View from Piaza Raghza towards Pir Gul. (2 copies) 98Jirga with Kaniguram in back ground. 114Waziri caravan types. 2 117The Waziri. (hand tinted) 122The Old Pathan. 124A Pathan Woman. 126Two Afghans. 127Two Afghans with their camels. 131The Sniper. 131aAfridi Man. 132Pathan woman spinning. 161On the Dal Lake, Srinigar. (hand tinted) 170Looking from Zojila to Baltal, 1,500 feet below. 174Camping ground at Panjitarni, one march before Amarnath. 180By Tannin River and Mountain heights in mist. 209Pastoral scene at Aro, Liddar Valley. (hand tinted) 1062View near Rampore. (hand tinted) 1084 Pahlgam. 1084aGamp Forest, Phalgam. 1089The Liddars. (hand tinted) 1106Club and Nedou's Hotel, Gulmarg. unnumberedPloughing, the Kashmir homestead. (hand tinted) unnumberedSind Valley, Kashmir. (hand tinted) unnumberedDal Lake. (hand tinted) unnumberedNanga Parbat 26, 660. The east aspect across the Astor River. unnumberedGlacier Valley and campsite, Sonemarg, Kashmir. (hand tinted) 3 260Parachinar Bazar. 268Deserted tribal fort near Guja Chinar in the Spin Tangi. 269Kurram Militia Post. 279A defile in the Kohat Pass. (hand tinted) 300Looking down on Kala Bagh and Mari Indus. 301Looking towards Khirgi from Manzai. 303Village tower by Jandola. (2 copies) 304Jandola Fort. (2 copies) 305Jandola Camp. 306In the Shahur Tangi. 307Exit of the Shahur Tangi (distant). 308Exit of the Shahur Tangi (near). 333Character Study; Wana Waziris. 385Kaur Bridge Fort. 386Manzai. 392Sararogha Camp. 431Typical Mahsud and Waziri tribesmen. 432Character study "The Mahsud." (hand tinted) 902Bathing Ghats on the Ganges river-Benares (hand tinted) 1420The Khan of Dir welcomes the Viceroy with great pomp-the Panjkora river borders the valley with Hindu Kusk in the distance. (hand tinted) unnumberedReturn of Mohforce, Oct. 1935. New Road, Nahakki Pass. (hand tinted) unnumberedIn the Sikkim Himalaya, view towards Darjeeling. The pony track winds over the ridges. unnumberedThe Indus. Baltistan. The pony track runs along the river bank. (hand tinted) unnumberedUntitled. Mountain and river scene. unnumberedOpen Road, Afghanistan, 1910.