Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Mysterious Photo Album Reveals Women's Role in Civil Disobedience
A long time ago, in 1930-1931, there was a big movement in India called the Civil Disobedience Movement.
A special photo album with 245 black-and-white pictures from that time was found.
It shows how women played a big role in the protests.
They led marches, made salt, and even stood up to the police.
The album was bought by a man named Ebrahim Alkazi and is now being shown in museums.
The pictures help us understand how women helped change India during that time.
The album is called the Nursey album, and it's very important for learning about history.
A mysterious photo album from 1930-1931 reveals women's active participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement in Bombay.
The album, known as the Nursey album, contains 245 black-and-white photographs documenting protests and salt-making activities.
Women led and dominated street activities, challenging colonial authority and testing the limits of non-violence.
The album was purchased by Ebrahim Alkazi and is now part of the Alkazi Collection of Photography.
Exhibitions featuring the photographs are currently running at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya in Mumbai and Duke University.
- Who
- Women and nationalists in Bombay during the Civil Disobedience Movement
- What
- A mysterious photo album revealing women's active participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement
- When
- 1930-1931, with exhibitions running until March 31, 2024, in Mumbai and January 19, 2024, in Duke University
- Where
- Bombay (Mumbai), India
- Why
- To document and showcase the significant role of women in the Civil Disobedience Movement and the impact on the city of Bombay
- Album Name
- Nursey album
- Number of Photographs
- 245
- Time Period
- 1930-1931
- Location
- Bombay (Mumbai)
- Current Holder
- Alkazi Collection of Photography
- Exhibition Locations
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Mumbai) and Duke University
- Exhibition Duration
- March 31 (Mumbai) and January 19 (Duke University)