Glimpse of British Women In India, Photo 1887

An old 1887 glass slide photo showing a glimpse of British women in colonial India. This glass slide photo is inserted into a magic lantern projector. Once the projector is lit up it magnifies a large image on the wall or screen. Shown here are two British women who seem to be off to a function or perhaps to church in a horsecart.

Also shown is an Indian attendant who is apparently steadying the horse. While British rule covered almost the whole of India, a peculiar situation arose with regard to young white men. That there were too many of them in the country. So much so that young middle-class women from England had to make their way to India each year in search of them to accomplish an alliance.

After the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 travelling to India became significantly shorter and easier. The long-winded route of travelling by steamer via the South African coast was completely eliminated. For the first time, English women largely from the middle class came to India in large numbers. They were nicknamed the “fishing fleet.” Many of the white women succeeded in getting their desired white man working in the military, civil services, medical fields, etc. But many also went back empty, perhaps try their luck next time. Click on the photo for better view.

Did you know- that the English women who were accustomed to performing various household duties in England would be surprised to find that in India there was nothing for them to do. Everything would be done by the domestic staff.

From the collection- 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#8)., Pachaiyappa’s College & Flower Bazaar Chennai 1910 Postcard., King George Lays Foundation Stone Mumbai – Old Print 1905., Old Book 1898-The Romance Of Glass-Making.