London Stereoscopic Company
Portrait of Maharani Suniti Devi Narayan, c. 1885-87
Albumen print
2 1/2 x 4 inches
With Stereoscopic Co. credit mount recto and verso and subject identification verso.
With Stereoscopic Co. credit mount recto and verso and subject identification verso.
Maharani Suniti Devi (1864-1932) was an Indian educator, social worker, author and women's rights activist who played a pivotal role in modernizing the princely state of Cooch Behar. The daughter...
Maharani Suniti Devi (1864-1932) was an Indian educator, social worker, author and women's rights activist who played a pivotal role in modernizing the princely state of Cooch Behar. The daughter of the Brahmo Samaj reformer Keshub Chandra Sen, she married Nripendra Narayan, the Maharaja of Cooch Behar, in 1878 when she was 14 years old. Suniti Devi was known for her progressive views and efforts to promote female education, establishing schools in Cooch Behar and Darjeeling. She was also the first Indian woman to write her autobiography in English.
In 1887, she traveled to England to attend the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Queen Victoria. There, she was awarded the title of Companion of the Order of the Crown of India. It was likely on this occasion that the present photograph was taken.
In 1887, she traveled to England to attend the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Queen Victoria. There, she was awarded the title of Companion of the Order of the Crown of India. It was likely on this occasion that the present photograph was taken.