The Outer Prakarum, or Corridor Around the Temple of the God Sundareshawara 1858

Linnaeus Tripe made this photograph, "The Outer Prakarum, or Corridor Around the Temple of the God Sundareshawara," using the wet collodion process, a popular method in the mid-19th century. Tripe, a British military officer, was commissioned to document the architecture and landscapes of India for the British East India Company. The photograph presents a long, shadowed corridor lined with intricately carved pillars, leading towards a distant, brightly lit opening. Consider the historical context: Tripe's work was not merely documentation; it was an act of colonial representation. The gaze is that of an outsider, framing a cultural and religious space for a Western audience. How does the act of photographing, of capturing this temple, reflect the power dynamics inherent in the colonial project? What stories remain untold? This image offers a glimpse into a complex history, inviting us to reflect on the intersection of culture, power, and representation.