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Fakir or fukeer, enthusiast
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Fakir or fukeer, enthusiast
Fakir or fukeer, enthusiast.. handcolored copperplate engraving by an unknown artist from Asiatic Costumes, Ackermann, London, 1828
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Media ID 14196962
© Florilegius / Mary Evans
Asiaticcostumes Britishraj Colony Enthusiast Fakir Handcoloredcopperplate Loincloth Muslin Needle Penance Mortification
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This intriguing handcolored copperplate engraving, titled "Fakir or Fukeer, Enthusiast," is an evocative depiction of a traditional Indian spiritual figure from the early 19th century. The image, taken from Asiatic Costumes, a renowned publication by Ackermann of London in 1828, offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Indian subcontinent during the British Raj. The Fakir or Fukeer, as depicted in this engraving, is shown in a state of deep meditation, dressed in a simple muslin loincloth and adorned with brass forks piercing his skin. The forks, a common form of self-mortification, were believed to bring spiritual enlightenment and closer communion with the divine. The figure holds a needle, which may have been used for further acts of penance or to sew on new forks as old ones were removed. The British Raj, which began in 1858 and lasted until India's independence in 1947, was a period of extensive colonial rule over India. During this time, the British documented various aspects of Indian culture, including its religious practices, through publications such as Asiatic Costumes. This engraving, with its meticulous attention to detail, offers a unique perspective on the spiritual traditions of India and the resilience of its people in the face of foreign rule. The historical significance of this image lies not only in its representation of a spiritual figure but also in its role as a window into the past. It invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between the British and the colonized, and the ways in which cultural exchange and documentation shaped the historical narrative of the time. The Fakir or Fukeer, Enthusiast, stands as a testament to the enduring power of spiritual practices and the human spirit, even in the face of colonialism and imperialism.
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