Allahabad, also known as Prayagraj, Prayag and Ilahabad, is a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and the administrative headquarters of Allahabad District, the most-populous district in the state. As of 2011, Allahabad is the seventh most-populous city in the state, fifteenth in the Northern India and thirty-sixth in India, with an estimated population of 1.11 million in the city and 1.21 million in its metropolitan region. In 2011, it was ranked the world’s 130th fastest-growing city. Allahabad, in 2013, was ranked the third most livable city in the state and twenty-ninth in the country.
Discovering Old Allahabad: 15 Vintage Photographs
1# A View of the Fort of Allahabad, by William Hodge

The Guardian of the Ganges: A British Gaze on the Mighty Allahabad Fort
This watercolor depicts Allahabad Fort, built by Emperor Akbar in 1583, showcasing its strategic location at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers. The British fascination with Indian architecture often framed such sites as symbols of their colonial conquest.
2# Indigo Planter’s Bungalow

Home of the ‘Blue Gold’ Barons: Indigo Planters’ Colonial Mansions
Indigo cultivation was a cornerstone of British colonial exploitation in India. This bungalow reflects the opulence of indigo planters who benefited from the forced labor of Indian peasants under oppressive conditions.
3# 1954 Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh

A Million Pilgrims, One Sacred Dip: The Spiritual Marvel of 1954 Kumbh Mela
The Kumbh Mela is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. The 1954 event was significant for its massive turnout, reflecting the enduring spiritual fervor of Indian culture.
4# Group of Indigo Beaters

The Hands that Dyed the World: Unsung Indigo Workers of Colonial India.
Indigo beaters worked under grueling conditions to extract dye from plants. This image captures the human cost of a booming industry that catered to global markets.
5# Indigo boilers and fecula table

Boiling Blue: The Grueling Process Behind Indigo’s Luster.
This illustrates the labor-intensive process of boiling indigo plants to extract dye. The “fecula table” was used to refine the dye, a lucrative export for British trade.
6# Sadhu (saint) is relaxing 1954 Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh

Chilling with the Divine: A Sadhu’s Zen at the 1954 Kumbh Mela.
Sadhus, or holy men, are an integral part of Indian religious gatherings. Their serene demeanor amidst the bustling crowd symbolizes spiritual detachment.
7# Kesarah-Nutni, Low Caste Hindoo Allahabad, c1860’s

A Glimpse into the Margins: Portrait of Kesarah Nutni in 1860s India.
This poignant image highlights the caste system’s rigid hierarchy, showcasing the marginalized lives of lower-caste individuals during colonial rule.
8# Khusru Bagh,Allahabad,1870s

Tombs and Tales: The Elegance of Khusro Bagh in the 19th Century.
Khusro Bagh is a historical garden and burial complex. Built during the Mughal era, it holds the tombs of Khusrau Mirza and other royal family members, symbolizing Mughal artistry.
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9# Cutting Indigo plant in the field and Loading Carts

Harvesting the Blues: Indigo Workers in the Field.
Indigo farming was labor-intensive and exploitative. This image shows the initial step in the process of creating the vibrant blue dye coveted worldwide.
10# Large Photo Ashoka Pillar Allahabad India Rust c1870s

Ashoka’s Edict in Stone: The Pillar that Stands the Test of Time.
The Ashoka Pillar at Allahabad is an ancient artifact dating back to the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. It bears inscriptions of his edicts and later additions by subsequent rulers.
11# Cutting Indigo into Cakes

From Plant to Profit: Shaping Indigo Cakes for Export.
Indigo cakes were the final product of the dye extraction process, transported to markets globally. This image reflects the commodification of natural resources and labor.
12# Another View of 1954 Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh

Crowds, Chaos, and Divinity: An Aerial Look at 1954 Kumbh Mela.
This panoramic view captures the scale of the Kumbh Mela, where millions gather to bathe in the sacred rivers for spiritual cleansing.
13# Press house

Printing Progress: The Colonial Press House in Action.
Press houses were vital for disseminating information and maintaining colonial administration. They also played a role in the spread of nationalist ideas in India.
14# Luggie (Measuring-lands for cultivation)

Mapping Exploitation: Measuring Lands for Indigo Farming.
British officials and their agents measured land to enforce indigo cultivation, often against the will of local farmers, leading to uprisings like the Indigo Revolt.
15# The Marriage of Indira Gandhi and Feroze Gandhi – March 26, 1942 at Anand Bhawan, Allahabad

A Union of Hearts and Politics: Indira and Feroze Gandhi’s 1942 Wedding.
This iconic moment marks the marriage of future Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Feroze Gandhi, blending personal life with India’s evolving political landscape.
The city’s original name – Prayaga, or “place of offerings” – comes from its position at the Sangam (union) of the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Sarasvati Rivers. It is the second-oldest city in India, and plays a central role in Hindu scriptures. Allahabad was originally called Kaushambi (now a separate district) by the Kuru rulers of Hastinapur, who developed it as their capital. Since then, Allahabad has been a political, cultural and administrative centre of the Doab region. The Mughal emperor Akbar renamed Prayag, Ilahabad, which the British changed to Allahabad. In 1833 it became the seat of the Ceded and Conquered Provinces region before its capital was moved to Agra in 1835. Allahabad became the capital of the North-Western Provinces in 1858, and was the capital of India for a day. Allahabad was the capital of the United Provinces from 1902 to 1920
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