British Raj Movies

A state welcome for a Handley Page aircraft arriving in Kolkata.

Indian high society enjoy themselves at a Calcutta garden party held to welcome the new Viceroy, Lord Irwin.

A Christian take on 'Edenless' India, where heathens are unafraid of snakes, and build 'interesting' temples to their gods.

Armoured elephants, sacred monkeys and a camel carriage from Rajasthan.

An intimate insight into the servant culture and lifestyle of the Viceroy of India and family, as they visit Simla (Shimla) and Lahore.

The Duke rides an elephant as he ventures on safari in Bengal.

Happy farmers, a wedding and some giant cauliflowers...

Evocative observational scenes of Simla and Lahore, including the gorgeous Shalimar Gardens and Anarkali Bazar.

Amateur film of a road trip through northeastern India, showing traditional dances and a gigantic flower float.

Early film of a crowded street scene in an unidentified Indian city.

The Mysore Palace shines with 100,000 lights in a dazzling 400-year-old celebration.

Rare stencil-coloured images of early 20th century Delhi during a Muslim festival.

The Maharajah of Jind inspects the guard of honour.

Dignitaries including the Nizam of Hyderabad gather to celebrate the Durbar in honour of George V, who arrives by boat in Bombay.

The inauguration of a unit of the Indian Defence Force in Calcutta.

Fashionably attired folk attend the races in Kolkata.

Motorcars take shape - outdoors in a Kolkata yard.

From the arrival of a new viceroy to street markets, this amateur film captures the diversity of life in colonial India.