This film is part of Free

Rafai Fakirs, Hyderabad - No.4
Last of a series of films graphically depicting the Muslim sect’s self-mutilation practices in late-1920s India
Overview
This is the last of four films shot by E.H. Hunt on the veranda of his bungalow as part of his research into the self-mutilation practices of the Rafai Fakirs, a Muslim sect in Hyderabad, southern India. Not for the faint hearted, these scenes are very similar to those in the first film and include eyeball gouging and cheek piercing.
Edmund Henderson Hunt (1874-1952) was Chief Medical Officer of the Nizam's State Railway, Hyderabad, southern India, from 1903-31. Hunt’s papers and photographs relating to the Rafai Fakirs can be found in the National Archives.
Related

Villenour. (French India: Territory of Pondicherry) Villenour. (French India: Territory of Pondicherry)
Travelogue 1914 4 mins Silent
Gorgeously dreamlike colour images of (then) French India – present-day Puducherry

Uti 1925 Uti 1925
Amateur film 1925 15 mins Silent
Snapshots of colonial life around Tamil Nadu, plus a visit to the Toda tribe

Sir John Laing Missionary Films Madras & Ceylon Sir John Laing Missionary Films Madras & Ceylon
Amateur film 1947 18 mins Silent
Rare amateur footage of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka

Houseboating in Waltair Houseboating in Waltair
Amateur film 1926 13 mins Silent
The Uzielli family takes to the water in Visakhapatnam, southern India

Dancers at Trivandrum Gopinath Dancers at Trivandrum Gopinath
Amateur film 1946 7 mins Silent
Kathakali performance featuring the great Indian dancer Guru Gopinath, filmed in remarkable colour by ‘envoy of the Raj’ Clarmont Skrine

Cochin and Malarax Cochin and Malarax
Amateur film 1930 18 mins Silent
Amateur film capturing life and buildings in and around Kochi, in Kerala, south-west India.

British Cinema Breaking with Convention British Cinema Breaking with Convention
Inside Film 2010 30 mins
Jonathan Romney and a panel of directors defend the unorthodox and original in modern British cinema.

Rhianna Dhillon introduces I'm Still Here Rhianna Dhillon introduces I'm Still Here
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Critic and broadcaster Rhianna Dhillon introduces the Oscar-winning Brazilian drama.

180° Rule - BFI LFF 2020 - Q&A 180° Rule - BFI LFF 2020 - Q&A
Inside Film 2020 11 mins
Farnoosh Samadi, the director of 180° Rule, and actor Sahar Dolatshahi in conversation following an online screening at LFF 2020.

Dreams of a Life (Q&A) Dreams of a Life (Q&A)
Inside Film 2011 14 mins
Director turned detective Carol Morley (and actor Zawe Ashton) explain how an anonymous death changed both of their lives.

The Extraordinary Miss Flower - Exclusive Q&A The Extraordinary Miss Flower - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
Directors Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard talk about their film, which unpacks a suitcase of love letters that inspired an album by Emilíana Torrini.

Rebel Dykes - BFI Flare 2021 - Q&A Rebel Dykes - BFI Flare 2021 - Q&A
Inside Film 2021 46 mins
A detailed discussion of documentary Rebel Dykes with the filmmakers and contributors, following a screening at BFI Flare 2021.