Sigiri 1896

This photograph, titled 'Sigiri' was taken by Henry William Cave, a British author and photographer, in the late 19th or early 20th century. It captures the iconic Sigiriya rock fortress in Sri Lanka, also known as Lion Rock. Cave’s photograph should be understood in the context of British colonialism, where photography was used as a tool to document and represent the colonized world. The image focuses on the grandeur of Sigiriya, emphasizing its imposing physical presence. This romanticized vision can overshadow the complex socio-political history of the site, including the story of King Kasyapa's controversial reign in the 5th century, who chose this location to build his palace. It might also obscure the lives of those who built and maintained the site, the labourers, artisans, and others whose stories are often left out of official narratives. To truly understand this photograph, we need to consider its place within a colonial context, researching not just the artistic choices of Cave, but also the power dynamics that shaped the production and interpretation of such images.