Friday, October 2, 2026

This mid-19th-century photograph appears to show a group of Parsi traders or merchants seated outdoors in Bombay (now Mumbai), attributed to early photographer William Johnson.

 




AI Overview
This mid-19th-century photograph appears to show a group of Parsi traders or merchants seated outdoors in Bombay (now Mumbai), attributed to early photographer William Johnson.
Historical Context
  • Photographer: Attributed to William Johnson, active in western India and a co-founder of the Photographic Society of Bombay.
  • Dating: Captured before 1860 during the British colonial era.
  • Attire: The men wear traditional long white tunics (dagaldis) and distinctive headgear (fetas or Parsi caps) characteristic of the Parsi Zoroastrian community of that period.
  • Setting: Seated outside a colonial-style building with traditional Jalousie window shutters, accompanied by ornate hookahs (water pipes).



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