Archive · 17 Aug 2025
Postcards: Hyderabad's Image Through an Edwardian Colonial Lens
Imagine old-timey Instagram posts, but on paper!
This article looks at postcards from Hyderabad made a long time ago.
Europeans sent these cards to each other, showing pictures of the city.
These pictures showed what Europeans thought of Hyderabad - like a place with swords and exotic people.
The postcards let Europeans "see" the people and places they were curious about.
It's like a glimpse into how people viewed each other back then, but the article wants us to think about how those views might have been a little unfair or one-sided.
Postcards from Hyderabad offer insights into European perspectives of the city during the 'postcard boom' (1890s-1920s).
Postcards often depicted the lifeworlds of the empire's subjects, aligning with the imperial desire to 'see' them.
Images showcased iconic landmarks such as Charminar, Golconda Fort, and Mecca Masjid, offering a distinct view of the city.
The article examines how these postcards shaped exotic perceptions of Hyderabad, portraying it through Orientalist lenses.
The author reflects on the complex legacy of these images, acknowledging their role in preserving local memory while critiquing colonial visuality.
- Who
- Souvik Nath (author) examines the postcards, which were created by European publishers and companies like Raphael Tuck & Sons and A. Abid & Company.
- What
- Examination of postcards depicting Hyderabad from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and their impact on the portrayal of the city.
- When
- Between the 1890s and 1920s (the 'postcard boom'), and specifically referenced postcards from 1893–1908.
- Where
- Hyderabad, India.
- Why
- To analyze how these postcards shaped and reflected European perceptions and created an 'Orientalist mise-en-scène' of Hyderabad.
Imperial Representation
Preservation of Local Memory
Perspective on the Postcards
Imperial Representation
Focus on exoticism and portrayal of Hyderabad's people through Orientalist lenses.
Preservation of Local Memory
Recognition of the postcards' preservation of local memory.
- Postcard Boom Years
- 1890s-1920s
- Key Landmarks
- Charminar, Golconda Fort, Mecca Masjid
- Publisher Mentioned
- Raphael Tuck & Sons
- Notable Postcard
- 'Arms Sellers, Hyderabad'
- Artist Mentioned
- Josef Hoffmann