Indian ExceptionalismRecent accessions to a photograph collection of the Indian subcontinent, arranged in four series and indexed by subject, place and date.https://indianexceptionalism.com/en-GBWorker operates crane at a Heavy Electrical Plant, built with Soviet support in Haridwar, Indiahttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0034/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0034/Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited's Hardiwar plant, was considered a backbone of India's power sector, for it's work in the production of turbines and generators. It was established in the late 60s, with technical support from the USSR, as was the case with a large portion of India's nascent…Sun, 26 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMTIndira Gandhi, against the Himalayas, after signing the Shimla Agreement in Himachal Pradesh, Indiahttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0033/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0033/There is always something to be said about the duality of the Indian State. Indira Gandhi, in this image in particular, is the perfect personification of this duality.Sat, 25 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMTCars parked on Sansad Marg, New Delhi, burning during the riots after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhihttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0032/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0032/The death of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and the riots that followed, were an extremely turbulent and violent time for the city of New Delhi. This photo is an extremely vivid display of the destruction the riot caused, and yet only manages to capture a fraction of the pain and suffering felt…Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMTIndian troops securing areas in Kashmir at the end of Operation Grand Slamhttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0031/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0031/This photo, with very little additional context provided, is likely a section of Indian infantry men, securing areas in Kashmir.Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMTMuslim League protestors wave black flags at members of the first Cabinet of the Interim Government of Indiahttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0030/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0030/Before transitioning into a Dominion, India had an official Interim government formed from the Constituent Assembly.Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMTIrish Soldiers carry a victim of the Air India Flight 182 Bombing after the plane went down off the coast of Irelandhttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0029/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0029/This image shows the horrific aftermath of the bombing of AI Flight 182, an event which led to the death of all 329 occupants. The search and rescue operation undertaken after loosing contact with the plane contained multiple Irish civil and military services, as well as the USAF and the British…Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMTA woman stands in front of sculptures in the Elephanta Caveshttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0028/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0028/"Terrifyingly beautiful" is how Jay Vardhan Singh described these images.Wed, 15 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMTPolice officer fires warning shots to disperse violent protesters after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is arrested and expelled from Parliamenthttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0027/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0027/After the emergency ended, Indira Gandhi was arrested twice, on different charges. The first time was in 1977, for corruption involving a contract between the ONGC and a French oil company, a case which was dismissed a day later. In 1978, the Parliament voted to expel and imprison Indira Gandhi for…Wed, 08 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMTPrime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri conducts an aerial inspection of flooded Najafgarh in New Delhihttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0026/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0026/In this photo, we see then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, two months into his term, inspecting the extensive flooding near Delhi.Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTCamel mounted soldiers of the 1st Battalion, Sikh Regiment on patrol in Gurgaon, Indiahttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0025/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0025/A newly independent Indian army continues it's regular operations and is seen here leaving for patrol in the newly formed state of Punjab. This image, likely taken in modern-day Gurgaon where the first battalion was deployed for internal security duties, was taken just a few weeks before the…Sat, 28 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTPresident Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi after signing the Shimla Agreement in Himachal Pradeshhttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0024/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0024/President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan pays Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India a farewell call after signing the Shimla agreement. The location in of the signing, is Himachal Pradesh's Raj Bhavan, a colonial era building known as the Barnes Court.Sun, 22 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTChildren walk through the flooded ruins of Bhadrak, Orissa after the 1971 Cyclonehttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0023/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0023/A particularly distressing photo that shows the effects of a natural disaster even 5 days after it passed. This town likely was also affected by the Bhola Cyclone, just a year back, making the effects of this cyclone even more devasting than it normally would be.Sat, 21 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTThe Panchen Lama and Dalai Lama set up their film cameras before entering the Elephanta Caves in Bombay, Indiahttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0022/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0022/Before the Dalai Lama came to India to live in exile, he made a trip to India on then PM Nehru's invitation with the consent of Chairman Mao, in 1956. This trip was a test for the Dalai Lama under the new CCP administration in Tibet. The trip took place while Chinese premier Zhou Enlai was also in…Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTUS Army Canadian Military Pattern Trucks ride alongside Camels in Indiahttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0021/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0021/Another extremely interesting WW2 era photo that shows the stark contrast between two modes of transport. The truck, a Canadian Military Pattern Chevy 3 Tonner, is traversing the rough roads on top of metal strips.Wed, 18 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTIndian Air Marshal Dewan takes the Instrument of Surrender after it is signed by Pakistani Lt. Gen. Niazihttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0020/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0020/By now, most Indians have seen the iconic image of the signing itself. While the original is often attributed to the Indian Navy, this image from an alternate angle is taken by the esteemed Indian photographer, Raghu Rai.Mon, 16 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTEvacuated residents in makeshift refugee shelters during the Union Carbide Disaster in Bhopalhttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0019/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0019/In this photo, we see a limited amount of residents, since most had left the town as a whole, bundled up in makeshift refugee shelters in the Bhopal city stadium.Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTThe India-China Wing of the US Air Transport Command flies a C-46 Commando across the Himalayas from India to ROC forces in Mainland Chinahttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0018/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0018/The Republic of China's victory in the Second Sino-Japanese War would simply not have been possible without supplies provided to the Chinese forces by the allies.Wed, 11 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTBritish soldiers walk through Amritsar surveying the damage caused by riotinghttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0017/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0017/Two British Raj soldiers walk through and inspect the damage caused by the 1947 riots in Amritsar. The soldiers, a Major and a Private belong to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, a regiment which has a long history in India dating all the way back to 1854 on their first deployment, where they…Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTManeka Gandhi and her son, Feroze Varun Gandhi, photographed two years after the death of her husband, Sanjay Gandhihttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0016/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0016/A photo that captures the continuing sense of loss felt by a grieving mother and son. This photo is taken a mere months after the initial rift began to form between Maneka and Indira Gandhi over the plane crash that took Sanjay Gandhi's life, culminating in the eviction of Maneka and her son from 1…Sun, 08 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTAn elephant pushes a loaded railroad car onto the tracks in Assamhttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0015/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0015/A boxcar, likely filed with tea for freight transport is loaded onto the track. The elephant is used to remove the need for a shunting engine. More about this practice can be learnt here: When elephants were on the payroll of Indian Railways - TOISat, 07 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTUS President Jimmy Carter is welcomed to India with a Guard of Honourhttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0014/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0014/In this photo, we see US President Jimmy Carter on his first and only visit to India, slightly startled by an Indian officer from the Guard of Honour presenting his sword.Fri, 06 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTFarmer stands amidst and inspects his bumper crop of wheat in Punjabhttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0013/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0013/This photograph, taken in October 1965, depicts a farmer from Punjab standing amidst a flourishing wheat field. The image captures a moment of quiet pride and connection to the land despite the amount of hard work and dedication required.Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTPrime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and wife, Sonia Gandhi, arrive in Delhi after their first state visit to the USSRhttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0012/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0012/Rajiv Gandhi, early in his term as Prime Minister opted to visit the USSR for his first official state visit. In this photo, he returns to Delhi, jubilant after an extremely successful visit.Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTAtal Bihari Vajpayee moments after submitting his resignation as Prime Minister, 13 days after being sworn inhttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0011/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0011/Most Indian Prime Ministers that we see through their iconic photographs show a distinct personality. With Nehru, the photos show an aristocrat. With Indira Gandhi, the photos radiate a distinct sense of power. With Vajpayee however, the images always show a statesman. This one is no exception…Sat, 30 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTIndian Troops charge a Pakistani Post in the Khem Karan-Kasur Sector on the Lahore Fronthttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0010/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0010/This photo shows Indian troops charging at a Pakistani post in Kasur, a township on the Lahore Front. If the date in the caption and location is to be believed, these are likely troops of the XI Corps during the push towards Lahore from September 9th onwards. Fighting at Kasur was intense, with a…Fri, 29 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTMaharaja of Jaipur, Man Singh II, arrives in England by Flying Boat to attend the London Victory Day Celebrationshttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0009/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0009/In this photo we see, from left to right, Raoraja Abhey Singh, ADC to the Maharaja, the maharaja's two sons, the Maharaja of Jaipur and a Traffic Assistant of the British Overseas Airways Corporation.Thu, 28 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTIndira Gandhi with Queen Elizabeth II during the Queen's second visit to Indiahttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0008/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0008/This photo from Queen Elizabeth's second visit to Independent India stands out, not because of the Queen herself, but because of then prime minister Indira Gandhi, whose subtle side-eye directed at the Queen adds dramatic flair to an otherwise basic photo op.Wed, 27 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTImperial Police arrests members of the Bombay Provincial Congress Committee after they refuse to disbandhttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0007/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0007/An interesting photo where we see young and charismatic members of the "eight war council of the Bombay Provincial Congress Committee" being arrested after refusing to disband their meeting.Tue, 26 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTColonial era Dhobi irons various Clothes using a Charcoal Ironhttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0006/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0006/This Carte de Visite taken around 1860-1870 by Bourne and Shepherd Photographers, is part of a series of portraits that were taken to archive the various ethnic types and occupations of the world. Surprisingly, you can still find original copies of this photograph, likely from the original printing…Mon, 25 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTAn old man sits on a bench during his morning walk along the Marine Drive, Bombayhttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0005/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0005/A stunning image of a man pausing for a contemplative break during his walk along Marine Drive in the early, quiet hours of the typically bustling, post-colonial city of Bombay.Sat, 23 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTUS Ambassador John Galbraith watches Indian Troops testing an Anti-Tank Weaponhttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0004/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0004/Kennedy's Ambassador to India, John Kenneth Galbraith interacts with Indian army soldiers as they test an anti-tank weapon. It is possible that the rocket launcher is part of the American arms packages sent to India during the 1962 Indo-China war, explaining the American presence. The best guess as…Fri, 22 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTNaveen Patnaik at the Metropolitan Club in New York City celebrating a book releasehttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0003/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0003/Indian political elites before the 90s certainly carried an aristocratic aura, as can be seen by this image. It is a far cry from how regional dynasts present themselves nowadays. Whether this is good or not is certainly a question that merits deeper discussion.Sun, 03 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTISRO launching an early Nike-Apache Sounding Rocket from Thumba, Keralahttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0002/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0002/A stunning photo of ISRO's foundational achievements. The rocket appears to be the Nike-Apache, based on the similarity to other similar images. The date and location is derived from this source (which is an extremely interesting website on it's own). The Nike Apache was an American two-stage…Sat, 02 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTVP Singh walking in the garden at his residence, with a lone followerhttps://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0001/https://indianexceptionalism.com/archive/ie-0001/There is something to be said about the solitude that comes with the post of the Prime Minister, especially when your path to the position is one of coalitions, compromise and not many that truly believe in you. I'm sure that feeling is amplified when it seems almost like the entire country is…Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT