British Family Life In Colonial India, 3 Photos 1920s
Three 1920s photos offer fascinating glimpses into British family life in colonial India. After the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, travel from England to India became a lot easier and faster, encouraging many Englishwomen to journey east in search of husbands. Before the opening of the canal, the voyage around the Cape of Good Hope took nearly seven months to reach Indian shores.
The images show British families in Shimla and other northern Indian towns, capturing their lifestyle. Life for British families in India was often far more comfortable and luxurious than in their homeland, complete with large bungalows, domestic servants, and easy access to transport.
Young British wives arriving in India were advised to carry a long list of indispensable household items, including sofas, lamps, kilos of soap, and chocolate. When it was time to return home, much of this furniture and other heavy belongings were sold or passed on to new arrivals. Click first image to enlarge.
Did you know- the British family’s annual retreat would mostly be to Shimla, Mussoorie, Darjeeling, or whichever hill station was nearest.
