He was not a maharaja — great king — as the major Hindu rulers in British colonial India were called. He was a raja, but one without a kingdom. Deen Dayal, one of the most accomplished photographers of the 19th century, had the title of Raja Mussavir, king of photography. Canadians could call him the Karsh of India, a master of portraiture. Dayal’s photos of British rulers and Indian royalty give us a rare glimpse into a bygone world. The first full-fledged exhibition of his iconic pictures opens at the Royal Ontario Museum Sunday [April 21st, 2013].

Read More: Pioneer Photographer Deen Dayal Provides a Portrait of India

Photo Essay: Rare 19th Century Pictures of India