Along the busy streets of Jaipur, in the shadow of the enchanting Hawa Mahal, is a little piece of history that simply cannot be ignored. Mounted on a rickety, wooden stand and with a body covered in worn-out black leather, is an 1860 Carl Zeiss camera, believed to be the last of its kind in the world today.
It’s proud owner, Tikam Chand, along with his brother, Surendar, has been taking photos of locals and tourists alike with the vintage camera along a sidewalk that doubles as a studio since the late 70s. A third generation photographer, Mr. Chand inherited the camera from his grandfather, Pahari Lal, a royal photographer for the Maharaja of Jaipur in the late 1800s.
Do. A photo session with Mr. Chand is probably the best souvenir you can bring home. I simply refused to leave the city without being photographed by his vintage camera.