Gezicht op een tombe vlakbij de Achut Bibi-moskee in Ahmedabad before 1866

This albumen print by Thomas Biggs shows a mausoleum near the Achut Bibi Mosque, in Ahmedabad. Taken in India, in the second half of the 19th century, the photograph reflects the British Empire's growing interest in documenting and classifying the architecture and cultural heritage of the Indian subcontinent. The colonial gaze is evident, framing local monuments as subjects of study and sources of exoticism for a Western audience. The mausoleum is seen through the eyes of an outsider, a perspective that often overlooked the social and religious significance these sites held for local communities. To understand such works, we can consult archives, historical societies, and postcolonial studies, which shed light on the complex dynamics of cultural exchange and power relations that shaped the production and interpretation of art during this period.