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India on Film: 1899-1947
An extraordinary collection of films capturing India before independence.
At the stroke of midnight on 14/15 August 1947, India finally achieved independence from Britain. Seventy years on, India on Film offers access to an unparalleled collection of films from the BFI National Archive exploring lives – both Indian and British – across the subcontinent during the early 20th century. Comprising over 200 non-fiction films, most unseen for decades, the collection takes in temples and tigers, durbars and devil dancers, girl guides and Gandhi. The films inevitably offer a partial view of life in India; with a few exceptions, they were shot by British filmmakers. But between them they serve up revealing insights and countless indelible images. This collection of newly digitised films is part of the BFI's contribution to the UK-India Year of Culture 2017. The collection includes films of places that were part of India pre-Partition, including what is now Pakistan and Bangladesh. Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) was ruled by Britain as a Crown Colony directly from London. Given the many links with mainland India during this period the collection includes a few films of Ceylon.
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?
Villenour. (French India: Territory of Pondicherry)Villenour. (French India: Territory of Pondicherry)
Travelogue19144 minsSilent
Gorgeously dreamlike colour images of (then) French India – present-day Puducherry
Indian Elephants in the Service of ManIndian Elephants in the Service of Man
Non-Fiction193815 minsSilent
Indian elephants in action as working animals and in hunting, filmed by celebrated hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett
An Eastern MarketAn Eastern Market
Travelogue19289 minsSilent
Documentary detailing a farmer’s visit to the market in Rawalpindi
Lahore - Refugees from IndiaLahore - Refugees from India
Amateur film19474 minsSilent
Millions of Muslims flee to Lahore in the newly created state of Pakistan, prompted by the partition of British India
Delhi, Great Capital of India Delhi, Great Capital of India
Travelogue19094 minsSilent
Rare stencil-coloured images of early 20th century Delhi during a Muslim festival
LadakhLadakh
Amateur film194325 minsSilent
A stunning trek from the vale of Kashmir, via Sind Valley and Kargil and Lamayaru Monastry
Tins for IndiaTins for India
Industry sponsored film19417 mins
Unseen for decades, Bimal Roy's documentary finds poetry in the kerosene can
Gaumont Graphic No. 383Gaumont Graphic No. 383
Non-Fiction19146 minsSilent
Indian soldiers in Bombay in October 1914 en route to German East Africa (now Tanzania)
Aka and Daffla DancesAka and Daffla Dances
Amateur film193411 minsSilent
A stunning display by Nyishi tribesmen from the hills of Arunachal Pradesh, north-eastern India
Madras Mylapore - Tank and Religious ProcessionsMadras Mylapore - Tank and Religious Processions
Amateur film193210 minsSilent
The thronging streets of Chennai in festive mood are captured by this lively amateur film
Wedding of Maharaj Kumar Shri Meghrajji Shaeb of Kutch and Maharaj Shri of Kishangarh, 1933Wedding of Maharaj Kumar Shri Meghrajji Shaeb of Kutch and Maharaj Shri of Kishangarh, 1933
Amateur film193342 minsSilent
Fireworks, illuminations and traditional dance all feature in a stunningly opulent royal wedding at Kundla, Gujarat
Mahatma Gandhi Noa Khali MarchMahatma Gandhi Noa Khali March
Amateur film194727 minsSilent
Remarkable amateur footage of Mahatma Gandhi shot by his great nephew in 1947.
In India Today: Gandhi : Stormy Petrel of Indian Politics Pathé Gazette No. 1705In India Today: Gandhi : Stormy Petrel of Indian Politics Pathé Gazette No. 1705
Non-Fiction19302 minsSilent
Newsreel capturing the final leg of Mahatma Gandhi’s epic 24-day march through Gujarat to break the colonial salt laws.
Gandhi in England British Screen News No. 335Gandhi in England British Screen News No. 335
Non-Fiction19312 minsSilent
Mahatma Gandhi's arrival in England for the second India Round Table Conference at St James's Palace
Asia's New VoiceAsia's New Voice
Documentary194917 mins
Two years after India gained its independence from British rule, was the dream starting to go sour?
IndiaIndia
Amateur film192914 minsSilent
Amateur film of the passage to India - complete with guest appearance by Gandhi
Indian DurbarIndian Durbar
Documentary194011 mins
The "rich and vivid spectacle" of the Durbar held for the Maharaja of Alwar is captured in gorgeous Technicolor by Jack Cardiff in this travelogue.
A Village in IndiaA Village in India
Documentary193810 mins
Technicolor scenes in rural Rajasthan, shot by the great Jack Cardiff
A Road in IndiaA Road in India
Travelogue19389 mins
A portrait of 'the enigmatic and disturbing East' - elevated by Jack Cardiff's Technicolor cinematography
Temples of IndiaTemples of India
Travelogue193810 mins
Technicolor temple tour shot by the great Jack Cardiff
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.
India at WarIndia at War
Documentary194219 mins
A compelling case for the involvement of the United States in Britain’s Indian Empire is made, in this comprehensive survey of the war effort in India.
Empire TroopsEmpire Troops
19173 minsSilent
The might of the British Empire is mobilised for war during 1914 and 1915.
5th Calcutta Battalion: Presentation of Colours by H.E. The Viceroy5th Calcutta Battalion: Presentation of Colours by H.E. The Viceroy
Non-Fiction19176 minsSilent
The inauguration of a unit of the Indian Defence Force in Calcutta (now Kolkata)
Horse Artillery at Bihar and OrissaHorse Artillery at Bihar and Orissa
Amateur film192810 minsSilent
Amateur film surveying colonial life in eastern India
Hillmen Go to WarHillmen Go to War
Documentary19449 mins
The contribution of the people of the Kullu Valley to the Second World War effort.
India StrikesIndia Strikes
Documentary194534 minsSilent
A celebration of India’s contribution to the British war effort.
Explore further
North India
A journey across north India from the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir to the iconic architecture of Rajasthan.
West and Central India
A journey through central and west India from Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh to Gujarat and Maharashtra.
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.
South India
A journey through the temples of Tamil Nadu via Kerala to spectacular ceremonies and processions in Mysuru and Hyderabad.
Somewhere in India
We know that these films were shot in India, but where? Can you help us to identify the locations?
Pakistan
Across what is now Pakistan from Karachi through Balochistan to Lahore and onwards to the North West Frontier
More India on Film in our Rentals collection