Tabaksveld van onderneming Deli-Toewa van de Deli Maatschappij op Sumatra c. 1900 - 1920

This anonymous photograph from the early 20th century shows a tobacco plantation on Sumatra, Indonesia. The image, which is part of the Rijksmuseum collection, depicts a vast expanse of tobacco plants growing in neat rows, separated by a central irrigation ditch. The photograph offers a glimpse into the agricultural practices of the Deli Maatschappij, a Dutch company that dominated tobacco production in the region during this period. The photograph captures a moment in the history of colonialism and the economic landscape of Sumatra, showcasing the scale and organization of tobacco cultivation at the time.