British Plantation Owners Colonial India, 1900 Photo
A 1900 photo of British plantation owners during colonial India era. Also shown are the dedicated native Indian servants, dogs, and men astride two horses. Horses were the most common and best mode of transport for the estate people because of the rough terrain. Motor vehicles would not appear on the scene for at least another few more years.
The people shown are all probably inside the compound of a recreation club for the photo taking session. Most of these colonial-era estates had recreation clubs for unwinding after a hard day’s work. These clubs were ideal places for functions and socializing for members. The clubs had games like cricket, football, tennis, golf, polo, billiards, cards, and so on.
There were also well stocked libraries as well. Clubs were indispensable to Britishers when colonial rule increasingly spread throughout India. The oldest was in Madras (or Chennai) and Calcutta (Kolkata). This is because colonial rule first took root in these cities. When Britishers first started their plantations in remote areas a recreation club was a must to ward off isolation and boredom.
Read more The Bengal Club. See post Coffee Estate In Wayanad Madras Presidency – Old Photograph.
Did you know- the slow ruin of the Western Ghats had began when the British initiated the plantation of cash crops there.
From the collection- Vintage Raja Ravi Varma “Laxmi” Oleograph., Vintage 1955 Map Bombay North And Parel., View of Bombay Showing The Fort – Old Print 1850., Victoria Carriage In Bombay – Old Postcard 1940
