Photographer Raja Deen Dayal photos back to India and Bishop Cotton School, Shimla
Recently discovered these rare archive photos of Bishop Cotton School taken in the early days have been returned to India after many years. Thanks to Old Cottonian Dr Vijay Bhalaik, who discovered them at the Cleveland Museum of Art, USA they appear to be our earliest known photos of our school community.
The photos are a snapshot in time from 1887 when Indian Photographer Raja Deen Dayal visited the school, in then called Simla. Raja Deen Dayal was appointed photographer to Queen Victoria in 1897, ten years after these photographs were taken.
These four charming photos capture the elite school children with their Headmaster Rev Irons. It also shows a very diverse school community, looking relaxed, together with their pets (*a rat, some birds and also dogs).
BCS Director Mr Simon Weale said: “This find is a precious window into the life of this school in the 19th century. The images raise wonderful questions about the lives these boys went on to lead and they also add another layer to the rich history of the school. We are very grateful to Dr Bhalaik for making this extraordinary discovery”
Old Cottonian, Dr Vijay Bhalaik, a surgeon in England, said on his discovery: “Being an Old Cottonian I was absolutely delighted to find these photos of my old school looking so clear, with boys and their pets. I couldn’t sleep knowing these were the earliest known photos of school and couldn’t wait to verify them with a painting of the Headmaster Rev Irons in school.
In the collection by Indian Photographer Raja Deen Dayal (c1844-1905) from The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, USA, these photographs are part of an album, now disassembled, taken in India between 1885 and summer 1887 that provide glimpses into the lives of the British colonial elite and royal and upper-class Indians. The 80s was also the decade in which he was appointed the official photographer to Lord Dufferin, the Viceroy in 1888. These photographs were taken when Raja Deen Dayal visited Simla with Lord Dufferin.”
Credit: Photographer – Raja Deen Dayal, Cleveland Museum of Art 1887. Below are the Senior boys of Bishop Cotton School.
