In 1967, Bruce Thomas and Stuart Harper first met each other while working in geological mapping parties in outback Australia.
“We both separately had plans to drive overland from India to the United Kingdom, so we decided to join forces. Stuart had already purchased a vehicle for the journey, a 1961 model Fiat 600 Multipla which had cost just $175 (perhaps more than $2000 today). It was then extensively overhauled.”
“Ships travelling to India from Australia were rare in 1969 as the Six Day War in the Middle East had led to the closure of the Suez Canal in 1967. By booking 12 months in advance, we secured berths on the P&O cruise liner 'Oriana' which was sailing from Sydney to Colombo via Hong Kong and Singapore. We departed on 12 February 1969.”
Some 1800 photos (50 rolls) were taken on their journey, and here are 43 they shot when in India in 1969.
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| A street stall selling saris, Madurai |
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| A semi-precious gemstone dealer shows his wares, Jaipur |
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| A well trained elephant for heavy lifting, Kerala |
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| A young girl cradles her younger sister |
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| Amber Palace |
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| Camels on the street of Rajasthan |
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| Canal in Kerala |
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| Cantilever 'fishing machines' along the coast of Kerala |
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| Craftsman preparing enamel inlaid brass plates, which are a specialty of Jaipur |
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| Drivers of the ubiquitous auto rickshaw, Halebid |
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| Elephant on the street of Kerala |
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| Flower sellers by the roadside in Jaipur |
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| Krishna River |
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| Man dressed in colorful turbans and earrings for the celebration of Rama's birthday, Mandu |
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| Man enjoying one of the simple pleasures of life, puffing on his chillum, Jaipur |
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| Mother Ganga, the holy Ganges River |
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| On the road in Rajasthan |
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| Policeman on duty, Jaipur |
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| Portrait of a fakir in Hassan |
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| Portrait of a fine moustache man in Mandu |
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| Portrait of an elegant young lady in Mandu |
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| Portrait of an elegant young lady, with her brother in Mandu |
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| Rajasthan |
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| Rameswaram |
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| Rameswaram |
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| Ritual bathing in the holy Ganges River |
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| Something for the ladies on market day, Hassan |
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| Street scene in Jaipur |
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| Street scene in Jaipur |
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| Street scene in Jaipur |
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| Street scene of Kerala |
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| Taj Mahal, Agra |
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| Taj Mahal, Agra |
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| The 1000-year-old, 57ft tall statue of the Jain saint Gomateswara, Shravanabelagola |
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| The Burning Ghats where cremations continuously occur, Benares |
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| The faithful engage in ritual bathing in the Ganges each morning, crowding extensive Ghats along the river, Benares |
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| The Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) in Jaipur |
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| The interior of Amber Palace |
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| The Maharaja's Palace in the centre of the city of Mysore |
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| The main roads into and out of Bombay under repair |
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| Tie dyeing on the street of Jaipur |
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| Visitors in Mandu |
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| Weavers working on a simple hand loom in the street, Madurai |