Photo 972, 6(319)

Genre: Ethnographical Photography

Photograph probably by Tanner, possibly by William Robert Houghton. Full-length standing portrait. 'The photograph gives a good idea of the woman of the lower class in Sind, who are not confined to the zenan, but go about unveiled. The girl has very pleasing features, of the ordinary Sindee, or as it may be called, aboriginal class, and has a tolerably fair complexion, with a fine, full figure. She is dressed in the usual chola, or shift, with loose trousers gathered at the ancle, and wears over her head and shoulders a plain white muslin scarf. Her hair is simply braided, and tied in a knot behind. The constraint in her attitude is, no doubt, owing to the arrangement of the photographer, combined with natural timidity. Throughout India the women of Sind - that is, the Sindees, not the Belochees - are held in almost proverbial and very low esteem for morality...' After quoting extensively from Burton's account, the letterpress summarily dismisses the subject with the closing sentence, 'They need not perhaps be pursued further.'

Subjects = dress; ethnic groups; printed books; Sindhis; Watson and Kaye, 'People of India' (8 vols, 1868-75); Watson and Kaye, 'People of India' (vol 6, 1872); women

Location = Pakistan; Sindh