Photo 972, 7(359)

Genre: Ethnographical Photography

Full-length portrait of four figures, seated in a row in European chairs, with attendant standing behind. Same composition and setting as print 358. Rao Krishn Rao, seen in print 357, is seated second from right. 'The present group consists of Brahmins who are representatives of families that have long been settled in the Saugor and Nerbuddah provinces; but they keep up their connection with their parent land, and do not make local marriages, usually going to the Deccan to contract them. They retain their own language perfectly, and from their high class as Brahmins, and their learning, are much respected and esteemed. Brahmins, in general, wear very plain clothes, and when serving in a priestly character have nothing on the head or the upper part of the body; but in these instances the figure on the right of the picture wears cloth of gold on a blue ground; the second, cloth of gold with a pink ground; the third, a red silk coat with gold lace; the fourth, a blue silk coat with gold lace; the turbans, scarves, &c., of all are of like and suitable richness. Rao Krishn Rao has received a title of honour, Rao Sahib, and a medal for good services from Lord William Bentinck, which he is fond of displaying. The rest are pensioners according to the rank they held in the native service, while they still continue their priestly profession...'

Subjects = Brahmins (caste); dress; ethnic groups; Marathas; printed books; Watson and Kaye, 'People of India' (8 vols, 1868-75); Watson and Kaye, 'People of India' (vol 7, 1872)