Lala Deen Dayal (1844–1905) - also known as Raja Deen Dayal - was the prince of Indian photography. He was the court photographer to the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad, Mahbub Ali Khan, Asif Jah VI. Deen Dayal was born in Sardhana, Uttar Pradesh and trained as an engineer, but took up photography around 1864. He accompanied Sir Lepel Griffin in his central India tour during which he photographed views of Gwalior, Khajraho and other sites in Central India.
In 1896, he expanded his business and opened the largest photography studio in Bombay, which was patronized by both local Indians, as well as the British.
The legacy of Raja Deen Dayal is an exhibition mounted from the collection of glass-plate negatives of India's most accomplished photographer of the 19th century, and an introduction to his life and works.
Details of his legacy can be found here, and the exhibition here. .
Photo: The Studio of Raja Deen Dayal & Sons, 1890.
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