“Banian Women” by William Johnson (ca. 1855-1862) shows two women from Western India standing in front of a fence, surrounded by plants and clay pots. The women wear bracelets and long saris, covering their heads and reaching to the ground. One woman’s sari features a design or embellishment along the edge. Unlike the woman in the photograph from Mexico, these women are barefoot. In the background there is a tall building with intricate architecture that appears to be a temple or some other important structure. The women appear to be about the same age and they may be related as sisters or sisters-in-law. Since this image was posed, it raises several questions about the identity if the women, their station, where they are and what are they doing.

http://digitalcollections.smu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/eaa/id/715