[Group portrait at the Governor Generals Camp, L-R: Maj Jones, Mr. Walters, The Governor Generals Chaplain, J.C.S. and Sir E.Campbell Bart., 60th Rifles Mry. Sry. to G.G.] 1858 - 1861

Jean Baptiste Oscar Mallitte captured this group portrait at the Governor General’s Camp with a camera, a relatively new technology at the time. The pith helmets resting casually in their laps, and the central figure seated with a cane, are potent symbols of colonial authority and leisure in British India. Consider the helmet, not just as head protection, but as an emblem. We see echoes of the classical helmet, but adapted, transformed, and exported across the globe. From ancient Greek warriors to the colonial officers, the helmet speaks of power and protection. In a way, they mirror the changing shapes of imperial power itself. The relaxed poses, almost nonchalant, are a performance. They carry an emotional charge, a sense of ease amidst the complexities of colonial rule. The photograph itself becomes a stage, projecting an image of control and order. Even now, this image resonates. It reminds us that symbols are never static. They are constantly being reshaped, reinterpreted, and reinvested with meaning.