Udaipur museum opens exhibition of 19th century Indian photographs

The City Palace Museum in Udaipur opened an exhibition titled Early Photography and Archaeology in Western India: The Udaipur Chapter on 15 October 2026.

The display features 19th century photographs of archaeological sites across Western India, sourced from the British Library in London, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya in Mumbai, and local archives. The exhibition remains open to the public until 31 March 2027.

The collection documents the evolution of photographic technology, showing the transition from the calotype process to wet collodion and later dry plate methods. Curatorial team member Dr Hansmukh Seth noted that the wet collodion process became popular in the 1860s because it produced sharper negatives and required shorter exposure times than the calotype. The exhibition showcases the work of early pioneers like Thomas Biggs and William Pigou, who documented sites in the Deccan and Mysore during the mid 1850s.

It also features the work of Captain Robert Gill, who captured the Ellora caves using specialized lenses and stereoscopic views. The exhibition also highlights the role of Indian photographers and the patronage of the Mewar royalty. Local artists such as Lala Deen Dayal, Gopinath Devare, and N. Parasur captured the architecture and ceremonies of Udaipur. The museum displays how the Princely State of Udaipur-Mewar early adopted photography to document court life and royal functions.

Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, the chairman of the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, stated the exhibition aims to inspire creativity in the youth by highlighting the pioneers of the past.