An earlier post featured the superb drawings and engravings of colonial Benares by James Prinsep. There are also many photographs from the late 19th C. and early 20th in existence, such as those on the page below, taken in 1905. In a few cases readers will find contemporary photographs made by the present author - taken from a row boat floating down the Ganges - and worked into a suitably sepia format, so that the present shoreline can be compared to the photographic record.
For those not familiar with Benares, the city stretches along the west bank of the Ganges, and each set a constructed steps (ghats) function, more or less, like suburbs, very much like a beach front. It is from the ghats (steps) that Hindoos access the river, most particularly for ritual bathing.
MUNSHI GHAT
Munshi Ghat, 1905
Munshi Ghat, 2015
PANCHAGHAT
Panchaghat, 1905
Panchaghat, 2015
Note that the minarets of the mosque, built by James Prinsep in the early 1800s, were dismantled in the 20th C. after they were deemed in danger of falling.
MANARKARNIKA
Manarkarnika Ghat, 1905
Manarkarnika Ghat, 2015
GHOSLA
Ghosla Ghat, 1905
Ghosla Ghat, 2015
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Assi Ghat
Baji Rao's Ghat
Batsaraj Ghat
Burning Ghat
Gai Ghat
Kedar Ghat
RanaMahal Ghat
Shivala Ghat
Yours from Benares
Harper McAlpine Black
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