One of the most famous of the early European commercial photographers, and the most prolific photographer of the “picturesque” tradition, Samuel Bourne, a former bank clerk, arrived in India in 1836. Bringing with him a large amount of photographic equipment, developing local contacts, and having access to Indian bearers, Bourne travelled the subcontinent—producing over 2,000 negatives including some of the finest 19th century travel photography.

Initially partnering with William Howard, Bourne set up the Howard & Bourne studio in Shimla. They were joined by Charles Shepherd, and with the leaving of William Howard, the studio dropped his name to become Bourne & Shepherd. In 1866, in alignment with a growing culture of studio-photography, the Bourne & Shepherd establishment set up a branch in Calcutta, where it still trades as one of the oldest studios in the world, to this day.

One of the most prestigious studios of its time, it was patronised heavily by royalty, nobility, Europeans, Indians and a mushrooming upper middle class; and certain to be commissioned for special events such as the Delhi Durbar. Shepherd was a photographer of some standing but became more known as a master printer, staying back to head the business side of operations; and was somewhat overshadowed by Bourne, who became the primary photographic expert on India. Bourne’s work immortalised the Indian landscape and was fervently consumed by the British public in the form of postcards, book illustrations and views for albums.

“Bourne & Shepherd: Figures in Time” is presented by Tasveer in Mumbai, in partnership with the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum and organised in collaboration with MAP.


Postcards from the Raj 0

Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), Old Court House Street, 1867

Samuel Bourne

Postcards from the Raj 1

Afghanistan, group of Affreedies from the Khyber Pass, c. 1860

Charles Shepherd

Postcards from the Raj 2

Darjeeling, the loop on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, c. 1880

Bourne & Shepherd

Postcards from the Raj 3

Delhi, His Eminence, The Viceroy’s Elephant, Delhi Durbar, 1877

Bourne & Shepherd

Postcards from the Raj 4

Delhi, The Great Arch and the IronPillar at the Qutub Minar, 1905

Samuel Bourne

Postcards from the Raj 5

Jaipur, His Highness, Maharaja Ram Singh, G.C.S.I., 1877

Bourne & Shepherd

Postcards from the Raj 6

Jodhpur, His Highness, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, G.C.S.I., 1877

Bourne & Shepherd

Postcards from the Raj 7

Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), Bathing in the Hooghly, (#2499), c. 1890

Bourne & Shepherd

Postcards from the Raj 8

Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), Government House, showing the South-Eastern arch (#1707), 1867

Samuel Bourne

Postcards from the Raj 9

Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), The Cathedral, from the West, (#1712), 1867

Samuel Bourne

Postcards from the Raj 10

Ooty (formerly Ootacamund), The lake and the new Church from near Audrey House, (#1351), 1869

Samuel Bourne

Postcards from the Raj 11

Varanasi (formerly Benares), Vishnu temples on the Ganges, 1866

Samuel Bourne