The Peoples of Bombay and Bombay A Photorama 1661–1931

ETHNOGRAPHIC AND PICTORIAL VISIONS OF BOMBAY — DHURANDHAR’S PEOPLES OF BOMBAY (1944) AND THE TERCENTENARY PHOTORAMA (1931)

a) Percival Strip and Olivia Strip, The Peoples of Bombay, Bombay: Thacker and Co., Ltd., 1944

48 pages including 15 colour plates by Rao Bahadur M V Dhurandhar; rexine binding
9.9 x 6.6 in (25.15 x 16.76 cm)

"BOMBAY with its cosmopolitan population which embraces not only types of men and women from all over India, but nearly all parts of the world, presents an ethnographical problem which the new-comer to its shores finds difficult of solution anal his inability to recognise the various castes, creeds and communities with which he is daily brought into contact in the course of his work or during his leisure hours, acts as a set-back to his interest in the various peoples he sees in their national dress and costumes or if his interest is awakened draws from him a query to which a spontaneous reply is often difficult. As an aid to a better understanding of this problem, this unostentatious work, with its faithfully portrayed characters which form its chief attraction, is published in the hope that it will supply a long-felt want not only to the new-comer, but may it be said, to many who have stayed for some time in the country and find themselves still at a loss to arrive at a full understanding of its ethnography.

In the descriptive matter which deals with each illustrated character the authors have made an effort to trace the origin, history, religion, commercial and other activities of the various communities represented, but in a limited work of this nature they have not been able to touch more than superficially on their different phases of life and activities and if they have erred on any material points, they crave the indulgence of the tolerant reader in a work which has for its aim no greater ambition, than just an effort to create an interest and supply the knowledge which has initiated the necessity for such a publication.

The authors are greatly indebted to the artist Rao Bahadur M. V. Dhurandhar, late Vice-Principal of the School of Art, Bombay, for his whole-hearted collaboration in this work and for the magnificent coloured illustrations which he has put up and which in their detail and perfect characterization of the different communities of Bombay have saved the author much trouble in handling it from a literary point." (Preface of the book)

b) Bombay A Photorama 1661–1931, Bombay: Times of India Press, [1931]

Illustrated with over 100 halftone photographs of Bombay’s landmarks, buildings, and people, covering the city’s growth from its cession to the British Crown in 1661 through to 1931. Original pictorial wrappers with collage-style photographic montage to upper cover.
24 × 30 cm

A rare commemorative photographic album produced on the occasion of Bombay’s tercentenary, documenting the transformation of the city into a modern metropolis. The volume presents street views, civic buildings, the Gateway of India, mills, railways, and harbour works, capturing both colonial grandeur and vernacular life. Few copies survive in good condition, as the fragile wrappers were prone to wear.

(Set of two)

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