India as a Souvenir
As colonisers reduced nations to colonies, printing presses arguably reduced indigenous cultures to souvenirs. Between the 1850s and 1930s, British Empire Exhibitions were prominent events held in London to promote, strengthen and unify the empire, where India was publicised as a prized possession – a sparkling jewel in the Crown. News of colonial expansion spread through images of royal visits to India, the British influence in modernising the Indian army and in establishing power over Indian subordinates. These postcards offered a chance, in a way, to collect and view India from the British homeland, without having to make (tiresome) journeys across the world.
From Communication to Collecting: Raphael & Tuck & Sons.
The late 19th century witnessed such a high demand for postcards that even furniture companies like Raphael Tuck & Sons in London ventured into printing, turning it into a lucrative business. A Native Potter from the Native Life series is part of the famed “oilette” collection – a set of six postcards derived from original oil paintings showing life in India. In England, Tuck's postcards gained prestige, with the London County Council using them as 'reward cards' for students showing academic excellence and attendance. These postcards were among the few to feature detailed descriptions of the image at the front, which made them all the more exciting to collect.
Collecting for Friends
While some collected postcards as a way to get a glimpse of a colony, others exchanged them to strengthen friendships, through a shared hobby. People contributed to each other's collections, sending postcards which reminded them of the receiver. As mesmerising as these pictures may be, we gain deeper insights into people's lives through their handwritten or typewritten messages. Read closely, to uncover delightful anecdotes from the past.
Hill stations were centres of retreat and power for European colonists in India. If you are curious to learn more about the depictions of Darjeeling, Shimla and Murree in postcards, watch this lecture featuring Omar Khan.
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