The British Government began to build its photographic record of India in 1855. At first this was a random selection of images of important architectural and archaeological sites, produced by officials and amateurs alike. From the 1860s images of Indian society were also added to this archive. A government colonial official as well as a skilled photographer, Impey here displays an intense interest in Hindu architecture. The scene is carefully arranged and executed, reflecting the photographer's intimate knowledge of India, its buildings and atmospere.