Tiny Resident of British Era Bangalore, 1890 Photo

An old 1890 photo of a tiny European resident of the once British-era Bangalore, now Bengaluru. British children born in India were mostly sent to England to do their schooling there. Many would return to be assimilated into the Indian government jobs or enter lucrative businesses that were plentiful under British-ruled India.

A great number of young English women on husband hunting set sail to India each year. They were part of what was cheekily termed “the fishing fleet girls.” Most got lucky and married officials. But it was soon found that there was a high mortality rate of infants. Although this was not a rare occurrence in the 19th century. Because of the limited variety of medicines available in then Victorian era. Which terrifyingly consisted of opium, alcohol, mercury, blood-letting, etc, for all ages and sexes.

Some nonsensical theories and gossip also added fuel to the fire. The most common was the adverse effect of raising white children in hot climatic conditions. Young children were therefore usually packed off to their homeland England. Thus the result was that generations of children were pulled away from their parents. Who definitely would have to endure as part of their education the Victorian staple of caning. Click on the photo for better view.

Did you know – two of these children were a part of the schooling in England- the Nobel Laureate Rudyard Kipling (6 years) and his sister (3 years).

From the collection – 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#12)., King George & Queen Mary Procession Bombay, 1911., View Of Bombay From Mazgaon Engraved Print 1845., View Of Cochin – Antique Hand coloured Plan 1704.

The images are of the actual items from my collection. And Not a photocopy, pirated, reproduced, stock photos, or taken from other sources.

 

 

 

Photo Details

Year -

1890

Photograph Size -

6 x 4 inch

Photographer -

Barton & son