Gezicht op de Qadam Rasul in Lucknow before 1874

This is a photograph of the Qadam Rasul in Lucknow, made by Darogha Ubbas Alli. The image, mounted in an album, is a fascinating artifact of early photography. It would have required the hand-application of light-sensitive emulsion onto paper, followed by careful exposure and development. The sepia tones are the direct result of the chemical process used, and the paper support gives the image a soft, warm quality. The very act of taking and printing such a photograph was labour-intensive, a far cry from the instantaneity we associate with digital photography today. Each print was a unique object. Consider the social context: photography in the 19th century was not just a means of documentation, but a powerful tool for shaping perceptions of places like Lucknow for audiences unfamiliar with the location. The photographer’s skill in controlling light, composition, and the developing process all contributed to this construction of a specific version of Lucknow. So, the next time you see an old photograph, remember the layers of work and intention embedded in its very making.