This antique etching titled “The Oil Mill of the Hindoos”, created in 1803 in London, presents a vivid portrayal of traditional oil extraction practices in India during the colonial era. At the center of the image stands a barefoot Indian man, dressed in a simple dhoti and draped cloth, gazing directly at the viewer with a calm, composed expression. His posture suggests both dignity and readiness, perhaps indicating his supervisory role in the oil milling process. In the background, a man can be seen operating a traditional oil mill (ghani)—a large wooden or stone device powered by a bullock yoked to a central rotating beam. The animal, visible mid-turn, moves in a circular motion to crush oil seeds (like sesame or mustard) to extract oil. This labor-intensive method was a staple in Indian rural industry and still survives in parts of the country today. Other figures in the composition are engaged in complementary tasks, seated under the thatched roof that shelters the mill. The tools, vessels, and surroundings are rendered with careful detail, capturing the texture of rural life and the equipment in use. The engraving is signed “Engr. by F. Swa” (presumably F. Swan), and the artwork is done in a fine line style that reflects 18th- or early 19th-century European ethnographic art. The title at the bottom, “The Oil Mill of the Hindoos”, uses a now-outdated colonial spelling for “Hindus” and serves as an example of how indigenous practices were documented through a European lens. This etching is part of a broader effort to catalog the trades, customs, and daily lives of Indian society under British rule, often romanticized but valuable as a historical visual record.

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