Sketches in India : taken at Hyderabad and Secunderabad, in the Madras Presidency, London : Lovell Reeve, 1862

Scope and Content

The book consists of a frontispiece and 100 prints, each measuring 74 x 72mm. The images, which are pasted in opposite text by C.R. Weld, appear to be halves of stereo pairs. The pages are not consecutively numbered and the volume is divided into five sections: scenery and antiquities at Golconda (1-12); miscellaneous tombs and temples (13-19); views at Hyderabad and Secunderabad (20-34); sketches illustrating English life in India (35-47); sketches of native life and portraits of noblemen (48-100). The photographs comprise a very valuable record of contemporary life in India.

Administrative / Biographical History

Allan Newton Scott (1824-1870) was born at Forfar, the 10th child of James Scott, a merchant, and Isabella Wylie. He was baptised in Forfar on 30th April 1824 and later educated at Mr Bristow's, Hitchin and Addiscombe. He became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Madras Artillery in 1840 and was promoted to Lieutenant in September 1842, Brevet Captain in June 1855, Captain in June 1856, Lieutenant Colonel in March 1864 and finally a Brevet Colonel in 1866, in which year he retired. Scott was a keen amateur photographer and, as a member of the Madras Photographic Society, in 1860 exhibited 54 stereogrames. These won 1st prize and were adjudged 'unquestionably the best collection of stereogrames that has yet been produced in Madras'. These views undoubtedly appear in this volume. Scott married Maria A.E.B. (1843-1880) and had three children: Catherine Maria (b. 1861), Allan (b. 1864) and Blanche Mary (1869-1932). He died in London in 1870.

Access Information

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Acquisition Information

Purchased in June 1903.

Note

Includes index.

Other Finding Aids

A catalogue of the collection can be found on ArchiveSearch.

Alternative Form Available

This collection is available on microfiche: South Asia, fiche numbers 14-15.

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

Generally in good condition.

Additional Information

This collection level description was entered by KS using information from the original typescript catalogue.

DateText: Date refers to year of publication..

Scott, Allan Newton, 1824-1870; Weld, Charles Richard, 1813-1869