Entrance to the Thuparama at Polonnaruwa 1896

Henry William Cave created this photograph of the Entrance to the Thuparama at Polonnaruwa. Cave was a British photographer active in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His photographs, like this one, documented the island's ancient architecture and landscapes. Polonnaruwa, the second capital of Ceylon, holds significant cultural and religious importance. Cave's image captures the Thuparama, an ancient Buddhist temple, possibly from around the 12th century. Consider the politics of imagery, and who gets to represent whom. Note how, under British colonial rule, such photographs were not merely records; they also played a role in shaping the colonial perception and administration of Ceylon. To fully understand this image, historical and institutional research is essential. We can understand more about the complex interplay between colonial power, cultural preservation, and the representation of history. The meaning of this photograph is really contingent on its social and institutional context.