Oscar Mallitte

• Born — 1829 • Died — 13 June 1905 • Place of death — Kolkata • Education — Faculty of Medicine, Paris • Known for — Photography of Andaman Islands, Indian Rebellion of 1857 sites, Second Opium War

Oscar Mallitte was born in 1829 and studied medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, Paris, where he possibly first met Frederic J. Mouat of the Bengal Medical Service. He began his career as a surgeon in France.

Mallitte left Bordeaux in 1857, and on 23 July that year reached Calcutta, where he shared the same address as Mouat. Later that year he joined Mouat with a British expeditionary party to survey the Andaman Islands for the purpose of founding a penal colony for prisoners of the Indian Uprising. Called the "Andaman Committee", the party had been formed at the instruction of Lord Canning and also included among its members the surgeon George Playfair and J. A. Heathcote, of the Royal Navy. Their journey began in Calcutta, on the Semiramis on 23 November 1857 and reached Mawlamyine, where they transferred to the smaller Pluto. They arrived at Port Cornwallis on 11 December, after first sighting Narcondam Island. During the expedition Mallitte photographed landscapes, settlements, and native Andamanese inhabitants, producing a series of eleven images that were subsequently printed, mounted, and presented to the Government of India after the party returned to Calcutta. These included images of Barren Island, Port Blair, Ross Island, and three views of John Andaman. • Illustration — John Andaman

In late 1859 Mallitte was recruited by Lord Canning to accompany him on his tour of the Uprising sites of the North-Western Provinces, though it was noted by the New Times that much of the ruined sites and rubble had been cleared up by this time. Mallitte photographed the same view of Metcalfe House a year after Murray, documenting the clearing that had taken place since then, and also like Murray took a similar view of Humayan's Tomb, though with surrounding overgrown vegetation. • Illustration — Metcalfe House, Delhi

Mallitte took several photographs of Charlotte Canning, including on elephant, and on horse back. • Illustration — Countess Canning • Illustration — Canning on elephant • Illustration — Canning on her horse

Mallitte was commissioned by the Planter's Association to take photographs of indigo plantations, for the purpose of depicting the industry in favourable light. The images were published in 1877 in The Planting & Manufacture of Indigo in India. 29 photographic views. • Illustration — Beating a vat • Illustration — Indigo plantation • Illustration — Plantar's residence • Illustration — Indigo beaters

Mallitte also captured photographs of the Second Opium War.

Mallitte died on 13 June 1905, at his home in Calcutta.