H.R.H. the Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn before 1893

This is an anonymous engraving of H.R.H. the Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn contained within the pages of "Bombay and Western India," a work documenting the royal visit of 1903. The photograph presents a figure embodying the rigid social hierarchy of British royalty and colonialism. As a member of the royal family, the Duchess was a symbol of British power in India. The portrait, with its formal pose and emphasis on her refined appearance, subtly reinforces the colonial narrative of British superiority. Consider how gender intersects with this colonial project, as the Duchess was both a representative of British womanhood and a figurehead in a system that oppressed many. The flowers in her lap may represent growth and hope, but also mask the complicated, often brutal, realities of colonial life. This image encapsulates a moment of cultural exchange and political dominance, reminding us to consider the complex layers of identity and power woven into the history of colonialism.