Maharaja of Rewa and Classmates

Discussion

FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG

Deen Dayal uses the arrangement of people and the architecture to point to the most important person in the photograph. Here, the Maharaja of Rewa is placed front and center. “Sardars,” inscribed on the top picture’s mount, refers to the military officials surrounding him. After 1858, British influence dictated that Indian rulers be educated in European history and ideas as well as their local culture and history. In the bottom image, the young maharaja is shown with Indian teachers, but the instructional tools are Western: bound books and a raised relief globe (with Asia visible).

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