Military Games In British Era Poona, 1900 Photo
A 1900 photo presumably of military games in British era Poona (Pune). A rare photo from the colonial era of what looks like a game of tug-of-war. An elite crowd of European men and fashionable ladies can be seen in the stands. Looking on are the European ladies with their stylish hats and European men with their unmissable sun helmets.
Noticeable are the British Union Jack Flags flying from the stands. Poona became an important British military cantonment base after the three Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775-1819). This photo was taken by F B Stewart who was based in the city. He was a British photographer and filmmaker. Stewart worked for the military, the government, and also for private establishments. He went on to become the official cinematographer in the Delhi Durbar of 1903.
Read more The city has been an army bastion since its Poona phase.
Did you know- the game of Badminton originated in Pune, invented by two British army men based in the cantonment area in 1870.
From the collection- Vintage Raja Ravi Varma “Saraswati” Oleograph., Bombay Car Rally Vintage Cars – Old Print 1906., Cochin or Kochi In 1729 – Antique Hand Colored Map., British Family In Bullock Cart – Old Postcard 1900
