Gezicht op de residentie Roshanuddaula Kothi in Lucknow before 1874

Darogha Ubbas Alli captured this photographic print of the Roshan-ud-daula Kothi in Lucknow. As one of the few known Indian photographers of the time, Alli’s work provides a unique perspective, challenging the dominant colonial gaze that often framed representations of India. The Roshan-ud-daula Kothi, a grand building, stands as a symbol of power and wealth, yet the photograph itself hints at a more complex narrative. The building, with its detailed architecture, reflects the cultural synthesis of the time, blending Indian and European styles. Alli’s choice to document this building can be seen as a statement of cultural pride. Consider the photographer's position: as an Indian man in a society structured by colonial hierarchies, Alli's very act of creating this image is charged with political meaning. He reclaims agency through his artistic practice, offering an alternative vision that counters the often biased depictions of India by foreign photographers. This photograph is not just a depiction of a building; it is a testament to cultural resilience, identity, and resistance.