India’s rich cultural and architectural heritage has been documented by many photographers over the years, but few have captured its grandeur as exquisitely as Lala Deen Dayal (1844–1905). One of India’s pioneering photographers, Dayal’s work stands as a testament to the artistry and precision of early photography. His photographs, taken in the 1880s and included in the Curzon Collection, offer an invaluable visual record of India during the British colonial period.
Lord Curzon, who served as the Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905, was a great admirer of India’s historical sites and played a significant role in their preservation. As part of his administration’s efforts to document and understand India’s vast landscape, an album of photographs was compiled for a planned viceregal tour in the autumn of 1902. These images, taken by Lala Deen Dayal, depict the places Lord and Lady Curzon were scheduled to visit, highlighting some of India’s most remarkable sites.
Lala Deen Dayal’s contributions to photography extend beyond mere documentation; they offer a deep, artistic portrayal of India’s past. The Curzon Collection, featuring his photographs from the 1880s, serves as a lasting reminder of the beauty, history, and cultural depth of India during that time. As we look back at these timeless images, we gain not only an appreciation for Dayal’s mastery but also a renewed admiration for India’s enduring legacy.
