Artwork

Delhi. Tomb of the Emperor Shums ooo deen Allomsh, Builder of the Kootub Minar in the Ruins of Old Delhi

Delhi. Tomb of the Emperor Shums ooo deen Allomsh, Builder of the Kootub Minar in the Ruins of Old Delhi is a photography by the Impressionist artist Samuel Bourne. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This 1860s photograph, titled 'Delhi.

About this work

Bourne’s images are some of the only records we have of these sites before they were cleaned up and changed.

You see a quiet courtyard with a domed tomb at its center, half-hidden by trees and crumbling walls. The light is soft, almost golden, as if the sun is setting.

This photo was taken in the 1860s, long before modern restorations. It shows the tomb of a Mughal emperor just as it was—weathered, overgrown, and forgotten by time. Bourne’s images are some of the only records we have of these sites before they were cleaned up and changed.

If you like this quiet look at history, check out more of Samuel Bourne (British, 1834–1912).

Overview

This 1860s photograph, titled 'Delhi. Tomb of the Emperor Shums ooo deen Allomsh, Builder of the Kootub Minar in the Ruins of Old Delhi', is part of an album documenting architectural sites across India.

Subject & Meaning

The image captures the weathered tomb of a Mughal emperor, surrounded by trees and crumbling walls, conveying a sense of neglect and passage of time.

Technique & Style

The photograph is characterized by its soft, golden light, suggesting a serene atmosphere, likely achieved by capturing the scene during the late afternoon or early evening.

History & Provenance

Taken by Samuel Bourne, a British photographer, in the 1860s, this image provides a historical record of the tomb's condition before modern restorations.