Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Indian Natives of Bombay























Native Water Mellon Seller

“This picture represents a woman of the Koolmbi caste, who is by no means to be confounded with a coolie. A very low caste woman would find but few purchasers for her wares, which, being edible, nobody would buy from a person whose social status was not considered sufficiently high.
[…] Although not a very cheap luxury, there are many varieties when in season, the mango ranking among the most expensive and best appreciated. Pineapples are plentiful, and oranges can be had all year round from Nasik or Nagpur. Apples, too, from Cabul, but only fit for puddings. Green figs, melons, pappiya, and bread-fruit are also to be bought in their respective seasons."

in Coleman, F. M., Typical Pictures of Indian Natives Bombay: "Time of India" Office, and Thacker & Co. 1903

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