Tombe van Dariya Khan in Ahmedabad before 1866

This is Thomas Biggs' photograph of the Tombe van Dariya Khan in Ahmedabad, immortalized in a 135 by 188 mm print. Let's consider the historical and cultural context of this artwork, particularly focusing on identity. Thomas Biggs, as a colonial photographer, captured a landscape laden with layers of history and identity. Dariya Khan's tomb, likely a site of cultural and religious significance, is viewed through the lens of colonial power dynamics. How does Biggs’ position as an outsider influence his portrayal of this site? Does the photograph serve as a record of cultural preservation or does it reinforce colonial narratives? Consider the gaze through which this image was created and received. What stories might remain untold or unseen? This photograph invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between power, representation, and identity.