Photography in Princely India

In 1857, after the Indian Mutiny the British East India Company hegemony was replaced by the rule of the British government. In the next following years there evolved in India a government, which was the British Raj. As opposed to this was Princely India covering 562 native states ruled by a variety of Maharajas, Rajas and other rulers.

The Princes at the price of being confirmed in the states was compelled to cede to the British government all rights of a foreign policy. The Princes came to rule under the supervision of British tutors and their aspirations to increase their army took the form of ceremonial guns in their salute.

Many of the Indian Princes took up residence at the Savoy and Cladriges in London and took up the style of their British masters. The Nizam of Hyderabad had a history of being descendent directly from the Mogul Empire and Hyderabad ruling house at Golkonda was established. The Golkonda mines provided most of the diamonds. Hyderabad had the distinction of British resident at the court.

After 1887, the Nizam emerged as a Premier Prince among the native states in India.