Agra. View of the Taj in Front of Nootkan (The Light of the World), Wife of the Emperor Akbar, View from the River

This albumen print captures the iconic Taj Mahal, not from a typical frontal view, but from across the Yamuna River. The monumental structure rises majestically in the distance, its white marble gleaming softly under the Indian sun. The foreground is dominated by the river itself, creating a sense of serene expanse that frames the distant mausoleum. Bourne, who had been a banker in England before moving to India to pursue photography, meticulously composed this image to highlight the architectural grandeur and the picturesque setting. This photograph is part of an album documenting Northern India in the 1860s, offering a valuable historical record of sites like the Taj Mahal before 20th-century restorations. The scene invites contemplation, emphasizing the monument's enduring presence against the natural landscape.