Inde

1912 · 17948 — 1912. Lot of 2 silver gelatin photos of students and faculty at Udupiddi Girls' School in India. 1912. Each photo Approx. 5" x 3.5" inches. Pasted to brown paper with inscriptions on both sides one reading "Udupiddi Girls' School 1912" and the other "Matron teachers and graduating class of the Udupiddi GIrls Boarding School March 1912." Women's education in India was uncommon in the early 1900's with very few options available. Among the higher castes who could afford private schooling girls were married before puberty and expected to take on domestic life at that time. If they were lucky they were taught at home. The first photo shows 59 young female students a male and female adult presumably instructors both Indian and a white female adult. The other photo shows a smaller class of 15 girls with the same white adult female who appears to be the "matron" mentioned in inscription. All of the subjects wear white some of the girls in simple long dresses others with more adornments. The girls appear to range in age from around 5 to 18 many of them looking directly at the camera their faces studious as if instructed to look serious some with half smiles. These classes show a group of girls who would have been anomalous during their time paving the way for future generations. These images predate the 1930 law where the age for marriage was raised to fourteen years old that improved female literacy rates substantially. Slight tear to bottom corner has been repaired. Very good condition. unknown