Burning the midnight oil in Madras (1948)

A student of the University of Madras literally burns the midnight oil in this photograph taken circa 1948. While studying late, students of Madras used to tie their hairs to a nail in the wall to keep themselves awake.

South India has a literacy rate of approximately 73%, which is significantly higher than the Indian national average of 60%. Madras has a literacy rate of more than 90 percent, and is a major international IT hub along with Bangalore and Hyderabad.

Established in 1857, the University of Madras is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in India.