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Pakistan
Across what is now Pakistan from Karachi through Balochistan to Lahore and onwards to the North West Frontier
As part of the collection we have included films shot in the west of what was then British India – and what is now Pakistan. From tantalising glimpses of Karachi in the 1940s we head north through Balochistan to Quetta and witness home movie footage of the terrible devastation wrought by the 1935 earthquake. Our journey through Punjab takes in epic footage of prayers at Lahore’s Badshahi mosque and a documentary about life in Rawalpindi in 1928. Our journey ends in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with stops in Peshawar and the Hunza Valley.
An Eastern Market An Eastern Market
Travelogue 1928 9 mins Silent
Documentary detailing a farmer’s visit to the market in Rawalpindi
Kagan Valley Kagan Valley
Amateur film 1931 15 mins
Amateur travelogue of the Kagan Valley and Darband, Pakistan.
Lahore - Badshahi Mosque Lahore - Badshahi Mosque
Amateur film 1933 7 mins Silent
Extraordinary home movie footage of prayers in the Punjabi capital
Our Garden - Jhelum Our Garden - Jhelum
Amateur film 1945 12 mins Silent
This amateur film captures Colonel and Mrs Lord's garden at Jhelum, as well as soldiers at Karachi.
Life in Hunza Life in Hunza
Amateur film 1937 11 mins Silent
Fertility rites and wine production: life in the Hunza valley in northern Pakistan.
Indian Life Indian Life
Amateur film 1940 18 mins Silent
A motorist's excursion captures a world made by hand in the environs of Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi
India - NE and NW Frontiers India - NE and NW Frontiers
Amateur film 1945 17 mins Silent
Gritty images of India's northerly frontiers
Quetta Earthquake, May 31st 1935 Quetta Earthquake, May 31st 1935
Amateur film 1935 10 mins Silent
Amateur footage of the devastation caused by one of South Asia's worst earthquakes
Lahore - Refugees from India Lahore - Refugees from India
Amateur film 1947 4 mins Silent
Millions of Muslims flee to Lahore in the newly created state of Pakistan, prompted by the partition of British India
Edward Prince of Wales' Tour of India: Peshawar, The Khyber Pass and Rawl Pindi Edward Prince of Wales' Tour of India: Peshawar, The Khyber Pass and Rawl Pindi
Travelogue 1922 14 mins Silent
The future Edward VIII enjoys stunning mountain scenery on a visit to the Khyber Pass during his royal tour
Pindi Events Pindi Events
Amateur film 1940 12 mins Silent
Life in the bustling Punjabi city of Rawalpindi before partition.
The North West Frontier The North West Frontier
Travelogue 1928 12 mins Silent
Trade and military imprints in the North West Frontier province, from Peshawar to the Khyber Pass
Through the Back Door into India Through the Back Door into India
1928 12 mins Silent
An Englishman's eccentric road trip through Iran to Pakistan
Delhi to the North West Frontier Delhi to the North West Frontier
Amateur film 1935 14 mins Silent
Amateur film featuring government buildings in Delhi, a shooting party in Malakand and winter in Abbottabad
Durbar at Lahore, 1937: Gorrie Personal Film No. 34 Durbar at Lahore, 1937: Gorrie Personal Film No. 34
Amateur film 1937 17 mins Silent
The pomp and ceremony of Empire, including the Viceroy’s Durbar at the Lahore Fort
Simla Scenes: Indian Viceroy at Lahore Simla Scenes: Indian Viceroy at Lahore
Amateur film 1931 13 mins Silent
An intimate insight into the servant culture and lifestyle of the Viceroy of India and family, as they visit Simla (Shimla) and Lahore
Simla and Lahore Simla and Lahore
Amateur film 1933 12 mins Silent
Evocative observational scenes of Simla (Shimla) and Lahore, including the gorgeous Shalimar Gardens and Anarkali Bazar.
Randolph Bezzant Holmes India Films Randolph Bezzant Holmes India Films
Amateur film 1919 29 mins Silent
Military occasions around India and Pakistan, featuring the Khyber Pass, Srinagar, Rawalpindi and Peshawar
Crafts of Hunza Crafts of Hunza
Amateur film 1937 10 mins Silent
A rich variety of crafts as practiced in the Hunza Valley, Kashmir.
Lahore, 1936: Gorrie Personal Film No. 37 Lahore, 1936: Gorrie Personal Film No. 37
Amateur film 1936 13 mins Silent
Amateur film showing events including a Muharram procession and a military parade for the accession of King George VI
Khyber Pass; Kashmir; Agra Khyber Pass; Kashmir; Agra
Amateur film 1928 9 mins Silent
Romantic, atmospheric travelogue capturing some of northern India’s most iconic places – not least the Taj Mahal.
Waziristan Instructional Film Waziristan Instructional Film
Amateur film 1932 10 mins Silent
Guidance for recruits arriving at the North West Frontier
Royal Visit to India and Nepal Royal Visit to India and Nepal
Non-Fiction 1922 7 mins Silent
Edward, Prince of Wales, visits India and Nepal and goes on a tiger hunt.
Glimpses of India Glimpses of India
Travelogue 1929 31 mins Silent
Indian travelogue featuring the famous sights and rural life, from Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin) to the Khyber Pass.
Quetta Earthquake (Universal Talking News No. 515) Quetta Earthquake (Universal Talking News No. 515)
Non-Fiction 1935 1 mins Silent
Footage revealing the devastating aftermath of one of Asia’s most destructive earthquakes that took place in Quetta, Pakistan in 1935.
Quetta - Damghan Quetta - Damghan
Amateur film 1943 17 mins Silent
Amateur colour footage by Sir Clarmont Skrine from 1943, showing the people, landscapes and landmarks of numerous places in Iran.