Gezicht op een ziekenhuis, Dar-us Shafa, in Lucknow before 1874

This is a photograph of the Dar-us Shafa hospital in Lucknow, India, taken by Darogha Ubbas Alli. It’s part of a larger project documenting the architecture and urban landscape of the region. Alli was a local photographer, and his work provides a unique view into the social and institutional fabric of Lucknow during a period of British colonial influence. The Dar-us Shafa, meaning "house of healing," represents an important aspect of the city’s public health infrastructure. The photograph shows the building's design, likely reflecting a blend of indigenous and colonial architectural styles. Images such as this offer historians insight into the priorities and values of the time, inviting questions about healthcare, social welfare, and the colonial administration's role in shaping these institutions. We can research municipal records, architectural plans, and social surveys to understand its place in the broader history of Lucknow. The meaning of art is always contingent on social and institutional context.