This film is part of Free
Local Scenes in India and the Taj Mahal: Colonel Alexander Personal Film 2
This collection of amateur shots features some of the most important landmarks of Islamic power in India
Overview
This second collection of footage shot by Col. E.T.H Alexander takes in some of the most important landmarks of Islamic power in India. Alexander guides us around the Qutb complex, built by the founder of the Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526), and the incredible Mughal complex at Agra: we see the Fort, Jama Masjid and tomb of I'tim?d-Ud-Daulah, as well as Fatehpur Sikri, the one-time-capital of the Mughal state under Emperor Akbar, and the Taj Mahal.
This film was made in 1946 or early 1947, on the eve of Britain’s withdrawal from the subcontinent and just before Alexander left India for good. During WWII, Alexander served in the Engineer Corps of the Indian Army and considerable footage is devoted to wells and water holes that show the sophisticated nature of Mughal water engineering. Perhaps the film recorded a final tour of some of India’s most important historic monuments but, made just before India was partitioned on religious grounds, it is also a poignant record of the Muslim heritage of undivided India. Dr. Eleanor Newbigin (SOAS University of London)
Related
Temples of India Temples of India
Travelogue 1938 10 mins
Technicolor temple tour shot by the great Jack Cardiff
Sarnath, Benares & Santal Tribes Sarnath, Benares & Santal Tribes
Documentary 1934 27 mins Silent
Film of the Santhal tribe of North East India featuring Sarnath and Benares (Varanasi) in Uttar Pradesh.
Taj Mahal, Local Indian Scenes and a cruise to Port Said: Colonel Alexander Personal Film 5 Taj Mahal, Local Indian Scenes and a cruise to Port Said: Colonel Alexander Personal Film 5
Amateur film 1944 8 mins Silent
Luscious colour photography of the Taj Mahal and a Mediterranean cruise to Port Said
Gwalior Gwalior
Interest film 1922 0 mins Silent
The Prince of Wales and the Maharajah of Gwalior ride an elephant in a grand procession
Street Scenes in India: Colonel Alexander Personal Film 1 Street Scenes in India: Colonel Alexander Personal Film 1
Amateur film 1935 9 mins Silent
From the arrival of a new viceroy to street markets, this amateur film captures the diversity of life in colonial India
Khalapur Carpets Khalapur Carpets
Promotional 1932 12 mins Silent
Indian carpets make their way to Montreal in this promotional film
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.