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

Samuel Bourne, a British photographer, spent seven prolific years in India from 1863 to 1870, establishing himself as one of the premier landscape and architectural photographers of the 19th century. This albumen print from 1863, depicting the Tomb of Emperor Shums ooo deen Allomsh in Delhi, showcases the meticulous composition and technical expertise for which Bourne was renowned. Arriving in Calcutta in early 1863, Bourne quickly embarked on ambitious photographic expeditions, often with a large retinue of porters to carry his heavy equipment, including a 10x12-inch plate camera. This image, created in the same year he began his extensive travels, captures not just a historical monument but also the grandeur and mystique of India, a subject that fascinated him and led to approximately 2,200 images of the subcontinent's landscapes and architecture. His work helped define how the West viewed India, blending documentary precision with an artistic sensibility.

Bourne's photographs, like this one, were widely retailed throughout India and Britain through his studio, Bourne & Shepherd, which he co-founded. His ability to produce such detailed and atmospheric images in challenging conditions, using the wet plate collodion process, solidified his reputation. This particular photograph is a testament to his early success in India, demonstrating his keen eye for monumental structures and his skill in rendering the vastness of the Indian landscape. It exemplifies the kind of architectural studies that formed a significant part of his extensive portfolio, which remains a crucial historical record.