Originally from the archive of John Montgomery Sleater (1826-1902), a British engineer, who had a long history with the Central India Railway Company. He became chief engineer in 1882 and, later, was acting agent of the entire system from Bombay to Dhili.
The Indian photographer Narayan, who operated a "School of Art" in Bombay, was a singular artist whose panoramic views were artfully composed. Author and curator Susan Hapgood has written that 'Bombay's unique role as a commercial crossroads, with a direct tie to England, led to its very early embrace of the medium.'
