Artwork

Officers of Elephant Battery, Jhansi (recto); Men of Elephant Battery, Jhansi (verso)

Officers of Elephant Battery, Jhansi (recto); Men of Elephant Battery, Jhansi (verso) is a photography by the Impressionist artist Raja Deen Dayal. It dates from 1884 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

The photographer, Raja Deen Dayal, was one of the first Indian court photographers, working for both British rulers and Indian royalty.

You see two sides of one photograph: one shows British officers in crisp uniforms, the other shows Indian soldiers in loose tunics, all standing in front of a cannon.

This was taken in Jhansi, a city tied to the 1857 rebellion. The photographer, Raja Deen Dayal, was one of the first Indian court photographers, working for both British rulers and Indian royalty. He shot these men with the same respect—no fancy backdrops, just the plain truth of their service.

If you want to see more of his work, look up Raja Deen Dayal (Indian, 1844–1905).

Overview

This double-sided photograph, taken by Raja Deen Dayal, depicts the Officers of Elephant Battery, Jhansi on one side and Men of Elephant Battery, Jhansi on the other. It is part of a disassembled album of approximately 105 photographs taken in India between 1885 and 1887.

Subject & Meaning

The image shows British officers and Indian soldiers standing in front of a cannon, highlighting their roles in the colonial military. Jhansi, the location, is a city associated with the 1857 rebellion, adding historical context to the scene.

Technique & Style

Deen Dayal's straightforward approach is evident in the lack of elaborate backdrops, instead focusing on the subjects and their service. This style reflects his experience as a court photographer working for both British and Indian patrons.

History & Provenance

The photograph was likely commissioned as a personal souvenir by a British civil servant visiting or working in India around 1888. The museum holds another group of 37 pictures from the same album, indicating its significance as a historical record.