Kistna Anicut from Bezwada End 1898

This photograph of the Kistna Anicut was produced by Nicholas and Co., sometime in the late 19th century. It shows the scale and engineering of the dam, representing the complex and contested histories of colonial India. The Anicut, a dam built across the Krishna River, exemplifies British engineering prowess but also the disruption of local agricultural practices. Images like these served to promote a narrative of progress and modernization under colonial rule, but they also concealed the social and economic impacts on the local communities whose lives were intricately tied to the river's natural flow. The dam altered irrigation systems and agricultural productivity, and it became a symbol of both technological achievement and social change. To fully understand this image, it’s vital to delve into the colonial archives, engineering reports, and the oral histories of those affected. Only then can we appreciate the multiple layers of meaning embedded in this photograph.