Photographs and notes descriptive of the tribes of Berar. Photographer(s): Mulheran,...

Volume with half-calf and marbled paper binding, measuring 315 mm x 206 mm, containing letterpress reports on printed blue paper with photographs tipped in, the majority of the prints being of carte de visite size. These photographs were taken as a result of the official circular sent out to Government servants requesting photographs of ethnic groups for transmission to the London International Exhibition of 1862. Although most of the photographs were not actually exhibited, the collection amassed as a result of this initiative formed the basis of the photographically illustrated work, The People of India (8 vols., London, 1868-75); several of the views in this collection also appear in volume 7 of that work. At the time of the taking these photographs Mulheran was Surveyor in charge of No. 2 Topographical Party of the Hyderabad Survey, and the volume is prefaced by copies of two letters to H. L. Thuillier, the Surveyor General (dated 21 June and 21 July 1862, from Ellichpore and Chiculda respectively), listing the photographs taken and the number of prints sent from each negative. In most cases 20 prints were made from each negative, the total sent to Calcutta amounting to 610 photographs. Mulheran also notes in his first letter that 'I intended to add illustrations of the several places of interest in Berar, and to furnish translations of the traditions connected with the same, but could not spare time this season to visit any portions of West Berar.'. Another copy at ORB.30/5370.

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