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North India
A journey across north India from the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir to the iconic architecture of Rajasthan.
From the far north of India thereβs breathtaking colour home movie of an expedition to Ladakh and its capital Leh. Heading south we travel via the former colonial summer capital of Shimla, through remarkable colour footage of Amritsar in 1947 to vibrant footage from across Rajasthanβs towns and cities, before heading east to Delhi with films capturing the old city as well as the emergence of the new. The collection includes films from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi.
Indian ProcessionIndian Procession
Non-Fiction 1902 3 minsSilent
Decorated elephants with howdahs, and troops on foot and horseback.
Delhi 1946Delhi 1946
Amateur film 1946 15 minsSilent
8mm amateur film of India on the eve of Independence.
King George the Fifth's Durbar Held to Proclaim Him Emperor of IndiaKing George the Fifth's Durbar Held to Proclaim Him Emperor of India
Non-Fiction 1912 7 minsSilent
Patriotic dispatch from the grand celebrations to mark the start of George V's reign
Ruins of DelhiRuins of Delhi
Interest film 1910 4 minsSilent
Attractive travelogue filmed in and around Delhi's Qutb complex.
Scenes of the Delhi CampScenes of the Delhi Camp
Non-Fiction 1911 3 minsSilent
A look at the 1911 Delhi Durbar - with a look back at its 1902 predecessor
Rajputana, Jhalawar, Bundi & Katakali DancersRajputana, Jhalawar, Bundi & Katakali Dancers
Amateur film 1940 11 minsSilent
A trip to the spectacular city of Bundi and a Kathakali dance performance, filmed in vivid colour by 'envoy of the Raj' Clarmont Skrine.
New DelhiNew Delhi
Amateur film 1928 18 minsSilent
The wonders of modern and family life as the Viceroy's private secretary
The Craster Family at JotwaraThe Craster Family at Jotwara
Amateur film 1934 11 minsSilent
An elephant ride and a regal garden party in 1930s Rajasthan
Pageant of the Sun-godPageant of the Sun-god
Travelogue 1934 9 mins
The Maharajah of Udaipur moves offices and the city erupts into colourful pageantry
Delhi - Jubilee Review 1935; Jaipur: JotwaraDelhi - Jubilee Review 1935; Jaipur: Jotwara
Amateur film 1935 12 minsSilent
Amateur footage of Delhi and Jaipur, from a military review to an atmospheric torchlit procession - and some armour-plated elephants
Monkey DanceMonkey Dance
Amateur film 1935 2 minsSilent
A young troupe from Kuki village in Manipur rehearse a dance as monkeys, to the beat of a drum
Native Life in BundiNative Life in Bundi
Amateur film 1935 9 minsSilent
Home movie snapshots of street life in Rajasthan, courtesy of Colonel George Craster
AjmerAjmer
Amateur film 1937 9 minsSilent
Vivid home movie showing street life in the Indian city of Ajmer and a festival in nearby Pushkar
A Central Indian Town: UdaipurA Central Indian Town: Udaipur
School programme and Educational film 1937 9 mins
Life in Udaipur in Rajasthan, with shots of temples, markets and busy streets.
Country LifeCountry Life
Amateur film 1928 17 minsSilent
Rural India seen through the idiosyncratic eyes of the Hunter family
KashmirKashmir
Amateur film 1941 12 minsSilent
An astonishing English touristβs view of street life in pre-partition Srinagar and Kashmir
Nanga Parbat. The Naked GoddessNanga Parbat. The Naked Goddess
Amateur film 1942 12 minsSilent
A caravan ascends the heights by the Neelum river or Kishanganga river; with views of the Rupal Glacier (or Tashain Glacier).
Delhi DurbarDelhi Durbar
Non-Fiction 1911 10 minsSilent
A film produced to celebrate the coronation of George V as King-Emperor at the Imperial Durbar of 1911.
India - Udaipur Spring FestivalIndia - Udaipur Spring Festival
Amateur film 1946 4 minsSilent
Ethereal colour views of the magical city of Udaipur during its spring festival celebrations
Delhi Durbar The State Entry into Delhi of Lord Curzon, The Viceroy, Accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of ConnaughtDelhi Durbar The State Entry into Delhi of Lord Curzon, The Viceroy, Accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Connaught
Non-Fiction 1902 3 minsSilent
Bring on the elephants! The spectacular opening of the 1902-03 Durbar
Boat Repairs - SunderbansBoat Repairs - Sunderbans
Amateur film 1935 11 minsSilent
Stunning colour footage showing colonial life in the hills of Assam and bustling activity on the lakes below
The Delhi Durbar 1902-03The Delhi Durbar 1902-03
Non-Fiction 1902 3 minsSilent
One of the earliest films to be screened throughout India upon the accession of Edward VII as Emperor of India
Indian Scene of ProcessionIndian Scene of Procession
Non-Fiction 1902 2 minsSilent
Stately scenes in India, likely filmed during the 1903 Delhi Durbar
Lord Willingdon in IndiaLord Willingdon in India
Amateur film 1930 12 minsSilent
Life for the Viceroy of India in the 1930s - captured in his own home movie
A Punjab VillageA Punjab Village
Documentary 1925 14 minsSilent
Richly detailed amateur ethnographic film on the agrarian economy and society in rural Punjab
Scenes on the River Jhelum, The Chief Waterway of Srinager, The Capital of CashmereScenes on the River Jhelum, The Chief Waterway of Srinager, The Capital of Cashmere
Travelogue 1903 0 minsSilent
Impressive early tableaux at the riverbank in Srinagar
Our Greatest AmbassadorOur Greatest Ambassador
Non-Fiction 1922 33 minsSilent
Richly detailed record of the Prince of Wales' Indian tour, 1921-22.
Kashmir, Rangoon, Inle LakesKashmir, Rangoon, Inle Lakes
Amateur film 1928 11 minsSilent
A tour of Kashmir and Kabul (Afghanistan) in 1928, showing camel racing, hunting with elephants, and yogic fire swinging
Khyber Pass; Kashmir; AgraKhyber Pass; Kashmir; Agra
Amateur film 1928 9 minsSilent
Romantic, atmospheric travelogue capturing some of northern Indiaβs most iconic places β not least the Taj Mahal.
Simla - Maharajah KumarSimla - Maharajah Kumar
Amateur film 1928 16 minsSilent
From Sir Conrad Corfield's collection, this film shows scenery around Simla, wrestling and a visit by the Maharajah Kumar.
Polo at Patna: Leopard ShootPolo at Patna: Leopard Shoot
Amateur film 1928 16 minsSilent
Amateur film of a polo match at Patna, Bihar, followed by scenes of elephants and a leopard hunt.
Procession of Elephants at Jaipur; Galta; Raj MahalProcession of Elephants at Jaipur; Galta; Raj Mahal
Amateur film 1933 12 minsSilent
Armoured elephants, sacred monkeys and a camel carriage feature in Col. George Crasterβs home movie despatch from Rajasthan
In the ArenaIn the Arena
Travelogue 1934 11 mins
In the princely state of Udaipur, elephants, wild tigers and boars are pitted against each other
Delhi DurbarDelhi Durbar
Non-Fiction 1902 3 minsSilent
Let the pageantry commence! Aristocracy, army, elephants and more mark the start of the 1903 Durbar.
India - Seraj Tour: Gorrie Personal Film No. 24India - Seraj Tour: Gorrie Personal Film No. 24
Amateur film 1932 15 minsSilent
Join the Gorrie family and students from the Forest Research Institute on an expedition into India's Seraj hills
Irrigation Scenes in IndiaIrrigation Scenes in India
Amateur film 1935 14 minsSilent
Amateur footage of dams and canals in what is now Pakistan
A Village in IndiaA Village in India
Documentary 1938 10 mins
Technicolor scenes in rural Rajasthan, shot by the great Jack Cardiff
Horse Artillery at Bihar and OrissaHorse Artillery at Bihar and Orissa
Amateur film 1928 10 minsSilent
Amateur film surveying colonial life in eastern India
Shillong ScenesShillong Scenes
Amateur film 1932 19 minsSilent
Golf - and other pursuits - in the 'abode of clouds'
Wandering Tigers in North IndiaWandering Tigers in North India
Amateur film 1935 17 minsSilent
Tigers in the Himalayan foothills, filmed by famous hunter and conservationist Jim Corbett
LadakhLadakh
Amateur film 1943 25 minsSilent
A stunning trek from the vale of Kashmir, via Sind Valley and Kargil and Lamayaru Monastry
Simla and LahoreSimla and Lahore
Amateur film 1933 12 minsSilent
Evocative observational scenes of Simla (Shimla) and Lahore, including the gorgeous Shalimar Gardens and Anarkali Bazar.
Simla Scenes: Indian Viceroy at LahoreSimla Scenes: Indian Viceroy at Lahore
Amateur film 1931 13 minsSilent
An intimate insight into the servant culture and lifestyle of the Viceroy of India and family, as they visit Simla (Shimla) and Lahore
India - Hardwar C.1931: Gorrie Personal Film No. 29India - Hardwar C.1931: Gorrie Personal Film No. 29
Amateur film 1931 18 minsSilent
Amateur shots of pilgrims and temples at Haridwar, followed by rural scenes and the Gorrie family at home.
Grand Lodge Deputation to IndiaGrand Lodge Deputation to India
Amateur film 1927 7 minsSilent
Footage shot during an intrepid hunting trip in India
Delhi Durbar DawnsDelhi Durbar Dawns
Non-Fiction 1912 5 minsSilent
Dignitaries including the Nizam of Hyderabad gather to celebrate the Durbar in honour of George V, who arrives by boat in Bombay (now Mumbai).
Hillmen Go to WarHillmen Go to War
Documentary 1944 9 mins
The contribution of the people of the Kullu Valley to the Second World War effort.
Children of the JungleChildren of the Jungle
Documentary 1939 20 mins
Documentary about the Bhil tribal people of central India, produced by the British-owned Times of India.
Indian BackgroundIndian Background
Documentary 1946 9 mins
Progress vs. tradition in India, comparing rural traditions to developments in industry and science.
Glimpses of IndiaGlimpses of India
Travelogue 1929 31 minsSilent
Indian travelogue featuring the famous sights and rural life, from Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin) to the Khyber Pass.
Historic Mutiny SitesHistoric Mutiny Sites
Travelogue 1914 5 minsSilent
Sixty years after the event, this travelogue indicates the continued potency of the Indian Mutiny to the British in India.
Sir John Laing Missionary Films Delhi & The NorthSir John Laing Missionary Films Delhi & The North
Amateur film 1947 18 minsSilent
Grand buildings and missionary work come together in the 1947 Indian tour of construction magnate John W. Laing.
Coronation Durbar at DelhiCoronation Durbar at Delhi
Non-Fiction 1902 2 minsSilent
Pomp and circumstance marking the coronation of King Edward VII as Emperor of India.
Indian DurbarIndian Durbar
Documentary 1940 11 mins
The "rich and vivid spectacle" of the Durbar held for the Maharaja of Alwar is captured in gorgeous Technicolor by Jack Cardiff in this travelogue.
India - Lyle Personal Film 2 - C. 1940India - Lyle Personal Film 2 - C. 1940
Amateur film 1940 2 minsSilent
Family life in colonial India β amateur footage of a little girl with her British mother and Chinese amah
Our King Emperor and Queen Empress Hold a Durbar in DelhiOur King Emperor and Queen Empress Hold a Durbar in Delhi
Non-Fiction 1912 7 minsSilent
"Their Imperial Majesties" King George V and Queen Mary hold ceremonial court in Delhi.
Royal Visit to India and NepalRoyal Visit to India and Nepal
Non-Fiction 1922 7 minsSilent
Edward, Prince of Wales, visits India and Nepal and goes on a tiger hunt.