[Burmese Pagoda in the Eden Gardens, Calcutta] 1850s

This photograph shows a Burmese pagoda situated in Calcutta’s Eden Gardens, though the photographer, Captain R. B. Hill, is currently unknown to us. It suggests the impact of British colonialism on the Indian subcontinent, especially the appropriation and display of cultural artifacts. The image portrays a structure transplanted from Burma to India under British rule. The pagoda, with its tiered roof and intricate carvings, stands as a symbol of Burmese culture within a British-controlled space. Calcutta, now Kolkata, was then a major center of British power in India and this pagoda served as a colonial trophy, placed in a public garden intended for leisure and recreation. Understanding the social context of this photograph requires researching British colonial practices, the history of Eden Gardens, and the cultural exchanges that occurred during this period. It reminds us that art and architecture can be powerful indicators of cultural exchange, colonial ambition, and the politics of representation.