Do you know that the world’s first selfie was taken by Robert Cornelius in October 1839? In India, it was the photography-loving royal couple of Tripura who took the first selfie in 1880.
Self-portraits, the precursor to the modern selfie, have been around for longer than you might think. The MySpace era popularized the digital self-portrait, but the concept is much older.
The Birth of the Selfie
In 1839, American Robert Cornelius used the daguerreotype technique – an early photographic process – to capture himself. This image, requiring a long exposure time, is considered the world’s first known selfie.
India’s Royal “Selfie”
Believe it or not, India’s first selfie predates smartphones by over 130 years! In 1880.
- Tripura’s King Maharaja Bir Chandra Manikya and his wife Maharani Khuman Chanu Manmohini Devi were fond of photography.
- The Maharaja, a member of the Royal Photographic Society, also organized photography exhibitions.
- The Maharani, a passionate photographer herself, enjoyed posing for self-portraits with the king.
- The historic photo shows the royal couple in an embrace.
- Maharaja Bir Chandra Manikya holds a lever attached to a long shutter control, thereby turning on the camera.
- This innovative technology brought selfies for the first time in India.
Innovation and Love
The historic selfie showcases the royal couple in an embrace. Notably, the Maharaja holds a black lever connected to a triggering device, hinting at an ingenious remote shutter control. This image, a testament to both their love and their interest in photography, stands as the first selfie captured in India.
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