The first selfie in India was taken 100 years ago by the king and queen, and they belong to…the name is…
While many people think selfies have become popular with the arrival of smartphones and front-facing cameras, the truth is that this trend begins earlier than it is.
In today’s world, selfies have become a common part of our lives. With the rise of social media platforms like Instagram, people love to share moments through selfies – alone, with friends or with family. While many people think selfies have become popular with the arrival of smartphones and front-facing cameras, the truth is that this trend begins earlier than it is.
The world’s first known selfie was taken in October 1839 by an American named Robert Cornelius. He used a method called daguerreotype, which involved silver plates and mercury vapor. Cornelius had to sit for 3 to 15 minutes to take pictures, and he clicked on the backyard of his family’s Lamp Store in his Philadelphia family. On the back of the photo, he wrote: “The first light ever taken. 1839.”
But what about India’s first selfie? Interestingly, it also has an interesting history. In 1880, the first known selfie in India was taken by a royal couple in Tripura. The person behind the camera is Maharaja Bir Chandra Manikya, ruler of the state of Prince Tripura. His wife, Maharani Khuman Chanu Manmohini Devi, reportedly sat next to him.
Maharaja Bir Chandra is passionate about photography and is a member of the Royal Society of Photography. Not only did he take pictures himself, he also organized a photography exhibition. In the famous selfie, Maharaja is seen running a long shutter release while Maharani embraced him affectionately. She is also a skilled photographer and is considered one of the pioneers of Indian art.
Now, this royal photo is remembered as India’s first selfie. It shows that even more than a century ago, people found joy when capturing moments with loved ones – just like we are today.
