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Group of Chin Chin [sic] chiefs taken at Mandalay, Burma [i.e. Myanmar], 1889 - 1891

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Y3029A/1

Scope and Contents

239 x 176 mm. Showing a group of Chin chiefs, wearing their distinctive woven blankets and white turbans, gathered on a raised courtyard, possibly the roof of a bungalow. Scott describes these woven blankets in his Gazetteer (Scott 1900, volume 1, part 1, p.468).

During the punitive campaigns against the Chins groups of chiefs were taken to Rangoon several times, 'the sight of which it was hoped would ensure their loyalty' (Scott 1900, part 1, volume 1, p.443). A group from Tiddim was sent down in 1890 and two other parties made the journey in 1891, one from the north in May and one from the south in October. This, and the following prints, might well have been taken on one of these journeys. The results of this plan were disappointing: ‘The tales told were too marvellous for the acceptation of their fellow-countrymen. Their scepticism irritated many of the travellers, who had moreover seen so many marvellous things that after a time they seem to have doubted the evidence of their own senses. Sneers and insinuations worked so effectively with some that a few of the sight-seers themselves were stung into taking part in later disturbances in the hills’ (Scott 1900, volume 1, part 1, p. 445).

Dates

  • Creation: 1889 - 1891

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

From the Fonds:

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Language of Materials

English

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Good condition apart from slight fading.

Existence and Location of Copies

CN 2202.

Related Materials

For similar views refer to Y3029A/2 and Y3029A/3. For other photographs of some of these Chin chiefs, see Y3029A/33 and Y3029A/35.

General

KS.

Date information

DateText: The date is approximate..

Originator(s)

Beato, Felix, fl 1850-1891, photographer

Finding aid date

2003-02-21 12:00:07+00:00

Includes index.

Repository Details

Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository

Contact:
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