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Poodoocottah: Durbar

February-March 1858
Not on view
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.
This photograph of a formal court ceremony shows Ramachandra Tondaiman (ruled 1839–86), raja of the princely state of Poodoocottah, enthroned beneath an elaborate canopy. Seated on European chairs are his principal nobles, including the British-appointed prime minister of Poodoocottah. Tripe captured the changed political world of the princely rulers in colonial India, who had acquired a taste for European amenities—furniture, gas lighting, and chandeliers—while seeing their power increasingly circumscribed.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Poodoocottah: Durbar
  • Artist: Linnaeus Tripe (British, Devonport (Plymouth Dock) 1822–1902 Devonport)
  • Date: February-March 1858
  • Dimensions: image: 25.8 × 33.3 cm (10 3/16 × 13 1/8 in.)
    page size: 43.4 × 56.1 cm (17 1/16 × 22 1/16 in.)
  • Classification: Photographs
  • Credit Line: The British Library, London
  • Curatorial Department: Photographs