Pilaren van de Haibat Khan-moskee in Ahmedabad before 1866

This photograph shows the pillars of the Haibat Khan Mosque in Ahmedabad, captured by Thomas Biggs. The mosque, built in a time of cultural exchange, embodies the complex identities and histories of its creators and users. Biggs' photograph offers a glimpse into the architectural beauty of the mosque, but also invites us to consider the power dynamics inherent in the act of documenting another culture. Who is invited into the space, and who is left outside? What is the relationship between the photographer, the architecture, and the people who move through the space? The lone figure standing between the pillars reminds us of the human presence within these grand structures, and perhaps, of the many untold stories of those who have found solace, community, or resistance within its walls. This photograph serves as a reminder of the layered meanings embedded in places of worship and the importance of understanding their social and historical contexts.