MULTAN PUNJAB INDIA, 1935

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: MGH 4526).

Synopsis

Amateur film with titles, shot by Royal Army Medical Corps doctor Colonel Alexander Simson (1894-1980), records Indian life and monuments in Multan (Punjab), Karachi, Taj Mahal (Agra) and Delhi.

"Date picking colony at work": Indian climbs up date palm to gather dates. Close-up views of date-picking families with children in their encampment. Camels and goats pass. "Golf professional at Multan": Indian (servant?) swings golf club (presumably at request of amused cameraman). "Karachi 1935 Seines": Indians on stone steps. Indians fishing in dhow-type vessels in harbour. "Karachi during Monsoon": Heavy sea breaks against shore and sea walls; Indian on fishing boat furls sail. "Sacred Crocodile Pool at Karachi": crocodiles in mud. "Multan to Delhi. Caravan of Camels. Motor Buses": heavily laden bus negotiates badly rutted unpaved road, easily traversed by camel train. "Taj Mahal at Agra, 1935": various views of the building from different angles (poor focus), and of Indian visitors. "Simson Ganj": arched gateway in Indian town (possibly linked to cameraman's family - father James was in Bengal Civil Service). "Delhi Main Street - Sacred Cows obstructing the Way": cow in street. Hindus at Great Mosque. "Imperial Delhi. Viceroy's House": Exterior view of Lutyens' palace, with mounted Indian guard.

 

Titles

  • AMATEUR FILM BY COLONEL ALEXANDER SIMSON (Alternative)
  • MULTAN PUNJAB INDIA, 1935
 

Technical Data

Year:
1935
Running Time:
15 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
16mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Silent
Footage:
ca 350 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
GB
cameraman
Simson, Alexander Macdonald (Colonel)