Rare 19th-Century Photos of Bishop Cotton School Rediscovered, Offer Unique Glimpse into Colonial India

Bishop Cotton School (BCS), Shimla, is celebrating the return of rare archival photographs taken in 1887 by renowned Indian photographer Raja Deen Dayal. These images, showcasing a diverse and relaxed school community of boys, teachers, and even pets, were recently unearthed by Old Cottonian Dr. Vijay Bhalaik at the Cleveland Museum of Art, USA.

Captured during Rev. E.A. Irons’ tenure as Headmaster (1887-1901), the photographs depict elite students in informal settings, likely behind the Headmaster’s Lodge. The images reveal a harmonious and multicultural environment, challenging conventional perceptions of British colonial-era schools.

BCS Director, Mr. Simon Weale, described the discovery as “a precious window into the 19th-century life of the school,” emphasizing its historical significance and the questions it raises about the students’ futures. Dr. Bhalaik, now a surgeon in England, expressed his delight in finding these photographs, part of Raja Deen Dayal’s collection documenting Indian and British colonial elites between 1885 and 1887.

The photographs include glimpses of pets such as birds, dogs, and even a rat, capturing candid moments of the school’s vibrant life. Notably, the first Indian student, Surendranath Tagore (nephew of Rabindranath Tagore), had joined the school in 1881, further highlighting the school’s inclusive legacy.

These rediscovered images enrich BCS’s illustrious history, connecting it with India’s cultural heritage and the pioneering work of Raja Deen Dayal, appointed official photographer to Lord Dufferin in 1888.