This set of photographs from F.E. Chaudhry depict the news journalist side of Chacha‘s portfolio.
In February 1961, Queen Elizabeth II, toured India, Iran, Nepal and Pakistan on her first ever tour of countries outside Europe. She arrived in Pakistan on 11th February, and was received at the airport by Govenor, Nawab Kalabagh Khan. As a staff reporter of The Pakistan Times, F E Chaudhry covered her entire visit, but only two pictures are presented here.In the first picture, taken at the Lahore airport, where out of hundreds who gathered to cheer the Queen, only a select group of high profile politicians and bureaucrats are being introduced to the Queen. Bowing the head by gentleman in the suit while shaking hands with the Queen is only contrasted by the forced head bowing of two durbans holding spears at the entrance while clasping their hands in submission in the second picture, as Queen oblivious to their menial presence, is being escorted by the leading ladies to the Lahore Fort.
If the first picture projects an image of a modern, progressive nation, capable of hosting international dignitaries, the second picture deliberately re-creates a royal Indian past to highlight its ancient culture, with staged presence of durbans in Mughal costumes in a backdrop of a medieval fort built by the mighty Mughals, however, both joined by their acceptance of Western cultural and political domination revealed in the servile posturing of noted figures that frame the pictures and our history.
Click here for the evolving F.E. Choudhry Gallery at ATP.
what strikes me is the dignataries wearing sherwanis. That seems to have gone out of style.
How dare she ignored those two poor durbans!
A little “snake dance” in front of them, performed by her would have been greatly appreciated.
@ That was, and is always colonialism during which
all of them in the photo, were “born” that generation
most of them were also soldouts.
” modern progressive nation ” as said for the first photo,
makes me laugh, what a joke. The second photo shows
ladies get together for a pic nic outing, Durbaans gestures
were outdated ” purani zehniat” well in 1961 nothing was
changed. HAS IT CHANGED NOW ??????
You may be making too much of this. Giving rrespect to a visiting head of state is what all countries do.
Interesting pictures. Am surprised how many people in these (Men and Women) are wearing caps or headgear in these!