This photo is of two Banian Women outside a house in front of a temple

From this photo of the two Banian Women, we can tell that these women are likely from the middle or upper caste as the length of their dresses imply that they would not be doing physical labor. These women while appearing to be displeased during the taking of the photograph could actually just be a reflection of the normal photographic etiquette of the time, as smiling was a cultural action of more modern photography. The photograph of these young women was taken in front of their house that was located near a Indian temple, and from quaint peaceful background we can infer that the photographer likely sought to take a charming and relaxing picture, but for what purpose was the photo taken? Looking closer at the temple, it seems that strangely up close and out of place, why are there only potted plants and no forestry around the area in the tropical Indian climate? I believe the photographer has made use of a temple cut-out to create an idea of the tranquility of India, but still with what reasoning did this occur? Likely this photo was taken to encourage people from Europe to make the journey to India and become soldiers, attempting to lure them with this doctored scene of peacefulness that was meant to appeal to the soldiers, basically a “Come to India, there are young women and exotic sites to behold”, this fits in the idea of the “White Man’s Burden” to protect the women of India from the unruly men. Altogether, this photo was likely a piece of propaganda for the purpose of bringing young European men to India to participate in the British Army.

http://digitalcollections.smu.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/eaa/id/715/rec/9