This is one of a series of photographs commissioned by the Government of India in the 19th century, in order to gather information about the dress, customs, trade and religions of the different racial groups of the sub-continent. Images like this one were exhibited at European international exhibitions during the nineteenth century.
The girl in the photograph demonstrates the method of wearing ear and nose rings, and necklace. She is wearing a ceremonial dress and has a lock of hair pulled down over her forehead.
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