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East and North-East India
A journey from Odisha to Kolkata to the Buddhist communities of West Bengal and the diverse people of the north-eastern states.
From home movie footage of Puri in 1927 we head via Ranchi and Patna to Kolkata and an extraordinary selection of films shot in the former colonial capital. Heading north on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway we stop off in Sikkim to witness spectacular Buddhist processions filmed in colour. Heading east, the collection highlights the ethnographic films shot by explorers across the north-easten states. The collection includes films from Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
Boat Repairs - SunderbansBoat Repairs - Sunderbans
Amateur film193511 minsSilent
Stunning colour footage showing colonial life in the hills of Assam and bustling activity on the lakes below
Devil Dancers of SikkimDevil Dancers of Sikkim
Travelogue19349 mins
Hear the Lama band, see the sacred dances: welcome to Sikkim, in the shadow of the Himalayas.
Sir John Laing Missionary Films Calcutta, Darjeeling & BiharSir John Laing Missionary Films Calcutta, Darjeeling & Bihar
Amateur film194712 minsSilent
Rare amateur footage of East India
Darjeeling: A Foothill TownDarjeeling: A Foothill Town
Travelogue193410 mins
Evocative travelogue exploring life at the foot of the Himalayas, including tea gardens and a Buddhist shrine
Panorama of Calcutta, India, From the River Ganges.Panorama of Calcutta, India, From the River Ganges.
Non-Fiction18992 minsSilent
One of the earliest films to be shot in India apparently shows the Calcutta ghats - or does it?
Scenes at his Excellency the Viceroys's Garden Party at BelvedereScenes at his Excellency the Viceroys's Garden Party at Belvedere
Non-Fiction19266 minsSilent
Indian high society enjoy themselves at a Calcutta garden party held to welcome the new Viceroy, Lord Irwin.
Picturesque India or, In and About CalcuttaPicturesque India or, In and About Calcutta
Travelogue19135 minsSilent
Botanical gardens in Bombay (now Mumbai) plus the highly decorative Jain Temple in Calcutta (now Kolkata) as they were in 1913.
Ranchi and PatnaRanchi and Patna
Amateur film192913 minsSilent
Amateur footage around Bihar and what is now Jharkhand in east India
Her Excellency Lady Lytton at the Victoria MemorialHer Excellency Lady Lytton at the Victoria Memorial
Non-Fiction19222 minsSilent
Lady Pamela Lytton, wife of the Governor of Bengal, visits the grand marble Victoria Memorial in Calcutta (Kolkata)
Imphal BazaarImphal Bazaar
Amateur film193418 minsSilent
Richly detailed home movie shot in Manipur by G.P. Stewart, member of the Indian Civil Service
Men Seeking GodMen Seeking God
193011 minsSilent
An inside view of Methodism taking root in India – and dealing with leprosy.
Old BarakOld Barak
Amateur film194713 minsSilent
Glorious colour film of a fishing trip and geese-hunting expedition in north-eastern India
From England to India by AirFrom England to India by Air
Documentary191712 minsSilent
A state welcome for a Handley Page aircraft arriving in Kolkata
Gurkhas and Shillong SceneryGurkhas and Shillong Scenery
Amateur film193012 minsSilent
The festival of Dashian is celebrated in rural India - including scenes of animal sacrifice
PuriPuri
Amateur film192710 minsSilent
Unguarded images of Europeans and Indians at Puri on the Bay of Bengal
Refugee Camp at NampongRefugee Camp at Nampong
Amateur film194211 minsSilent
Film document of a true act of heroism in the wake of a Namphuk River flood
A Foot-hill TownA Foot-hill Town
Documentary19379 mins
Darjeeling - a portrait of the Raj hill station made for schools
Edward Prince of Wales' Tour of India: Calcutta and DelhiEdward Prince of Wales' Tour of India: Calcutta and Delhi
Travelogue192118 minsSilent
The future Edward VIII opens a durbar and enjoys a day at the races before inspecting the fire brigade in Calcutta
BhutanBhutan
Amateur film192814 minsSilent
This amateur film captures the Maharajah of Bhutan watching the marking of the Assam/Bhutan boundary.
Duke of Connaught's Indian TourDuke of Connaught's Indian Tour
Non-Fiction19213 minsSilent
In this newsreel report the Duke rides an elephant as he ventures on safari in Bengal.
Cuttack Leper AsylumCuttack Leper Asylum
Documentary19303 minsSilent
Amateur film featuring scenes at an Indian leper colony
Governor's Durbar, Bihar and OrissaGovernor's Durbar, Bihar and Orissa
Amateur film192918 minsSilent
Official duties and big game hunting in 1920s India, filmed by Lord Stephenson’s private secretary
Car Assembly, CalcuttaCar Assembly, Calcutta
Amateur film19262 minsSilent
Motorcars take shape - outdoors in a Kolkata yard
Magnus Family in IndiaMagnus Family in India
Amateur film192712 minsSilent
A colonial family record their travels as they holiday around north and eastern India
Viceroy's Cup RaceViceroy's Cup Race
Non-Fiction191713 minsSilent
Lords and ladies gather in Calcutta (Kolkata) for the Viceroy’s Cup, an exclusive horseracing event, in this actuality film.
Grand Lodge Deputation to IndiaGrand Lodge Deputation to India
Amateur film19277 minsSilent
Footage shot during an intrepid hunting trip in India
Guthrie Collection - Gangtok and Sikkim Trip - C. 1935Guthrie Collection - Gangtok and Sikkim Trip - C. 1935
Amateur film193516 minsSilent
Amateur footage of a trip into the Himalaya
Trip to ManipurTrip to Manipur
Amateur film193517 minsSilent
Amateur film of a road trip through northeastern India, showing traditional dances and a gigantic flower float
Shillong ScenesShillong Scenes
Amateur film193219 minsSilent
Golf - and other pursuits - in the 'abode of clouds'
Arrival of the Earl of Lytton at CalcuttaArrival of the Earl of Lytton at Calcutta
Non-Fiction19227 minsSilent
Lord Lytton takes up the post of Governor of Bengal
Sir Basil Gould Collection No. 7 - Procession at GangtokSir Basil Gould Collection No. 7 - Procession at Gangtok
Amateur film194013 minsSilent
Traditional games, dancing and music among the people of Sikkim - in vivid colour
Manufacturing Ropes and Marine Cables at Howrah, Near CalcuttaManufacturing Ropes and Marine Cables at Howrah, Near Calcutta
Non-Fiction19098 minsSilent
Strung out on hemp and coconuts: Indian industry supplies a maritime fix
S.E. Tibet and E. BhutanS.E. Tibet and E. Bhutan
Amateur film193817 minsSilent
Amateur footage of a trip to Tibet and Bhutan, including shots of the flora and fauna.
Lady Stephenson's Fete: Tiger ShootLady Stephenson's Fete: Tiger Shoot
Amateur film192817 minsSilent
Eccentric home movie scenes of the high life in British India, shot by Lord Stephenson’s private secretary
Polo at Patna: Leopard ShootPolo at Patna: Leopard Shoot
Amateur film192816 minsSilent
Amateur film of a polo match at Patna, Bihar, followed by scenes of elephants and a leopard hunt.
Indian ScenesIndian Scenes
Travelogue190611 minsSilent
Remarkable early documentary turning the camera on life in Kolkata and Mumbai
Ukhrul Medical TourUkhrul Medical Tour
Amateur film193411 minsSilent
A doctor and party visit the villages of eastern Manipur in India's far north east
Government House Garden Party 1923Government House Garden Party 1923
Non-Fiction19232 minsSilent
Scenes at a garden party given by Earl Lytton, Governor of Bengal, at Government House, Calcutta (now Kolkata).
Calcutta PageantCalcutta Pageant
Ceremony19124 minsSilent
A lavish pageant held during the royal visit to India, celebrating King George V’s coronation
Horse Artillery at Bihar and OrissaHorse Artillery at Bihar and Orissa
Amateur film192810 minsSilent
Amateur film surveying colonial life in eastern India
Annual Inspection of the Bodyguard by His Excellency Lord LyttonAnnual Inspection of the Bodyguard by His Excellency Lord Lytton
Non-Fiction19254 minsSilent
The Governor of Bengal and family - on and off duty.
Procession of Elephants at Jaipur; Galta; Raj MahalProcession of Elephants at Jaipur; Galta; Raj Mahal
Amateur film193312 minsSilent
Armoured elephants, sacred monkeys and a camel carriage feature in Col. George Craster’s home movie despatch from Rajasthan
Calcutta TopicalCalcutta Topical
Non-Fiction192610 minsSilent
Extravagant military ceremonies and the start of the Calcutta (Kolkata) 'season'
Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine FilmCalcutta School of Tropical Medicine Film
Documentary192715 minsSilent
Indian medical film about the parasitic disease kala azar
Calcutta Topical No. 1 for 1925Calcutta Topical No. 1 for 1925
Non-Fiction19256 minsSilent
Fashionably attired folk attend the races in Kolkata
Viceroy's Cup at CalcuttaViceroy's Cup at Calcutta
Sport192916 minsSilent
Film of the 1929 Viceroy’s Cup horse race held in Calcutta (Kolkata).
Royal Visit to India and NepalRoyal Visit to India and Nepal
Non-Fiction19227 minsSilent
Edward, Prince of Wales, visits India and Nepal and goes on a tiger hunt.
Darjeeling - Sir Stanley JacksonDarjeeling - Sir Stanley Jackson
Amateur film193710 minsSilent
Home movie hinting at the opulence of life for some British officials in India
Tours in Southern Bengal - In the SunderbansTours in Southern Bengal - In the Sunderbans
Amateur film193512 minsSilent
Everyday life and places of interest around the areas of Midnapore and Chittagong, including steamers and Indian boats along the Damodar river.
Rathjatra, Bone CeremonyRathjatra, Bone Ceremony
Amateur film19364 minsSilent
Home movie footage of a sword dance and ceremonies in Manipur, shot by a member of the Indian Civil Service
Kangchenjunga 1955Kangchenjunga 1955
Amateur film1955107 minsSilent
Amateur footage of the British expedition to Kangchenjunga in 1955. Led by Charles Evans, this expedition saw the first ascent of the mountain.
Fourth Everest ExpeditionFourth Everest Expedition
Amateur film193376 minsSilent
Percy Wyn-Harris' filmic record of the 1933 expedition, led by Hugh Ruttledge.
Climbing Mt EverestClimbing Mt Everest
Non-Fiction192283 minsSilent
The first film of Tibet, by Captain John Noel from the 1922 British expedition to Mount Everest, which was led by Brigadier General Charles Bruce.
P.R. Oliver Everest ExpeditionP.R. Oliver Everest Expedition
Amateur film193859 minsSilent
Amateur footage directed by Peter Oliver documenting the ‘Mount Everest Expedition 1938’, which was led by Bill Tilman.
Sherriff Kodacolour No. 1Sherriff Kodacolour No. 1
Amateur film19358 minsSilent
Colour film of Sikkim / Tibet (no sound), photographed by Scottish explorer and plant collector George Sherriff in 1935.
Sherriff Kodacolour No. 2Sherriff Kodacolour No. 2
Amateur film19359 minsSilent
Colour film of Sikkim / Tibet (no sound), photographed by Scottish explorer and plant collector George Sherriff in 1935.
Sherriff Kodacolour No. 3Sherriff Kodacolour No. 3
Amateur film19356 minsSilent
Colour film of Sikkim / Tibet (no sound), photographed by Scottish explorer and plant collector George Sherriff in 1935.