The Absence of Photographs of Grandmothers and Earlier Generations: A Legacy of Social and Political Suppression
Ruling elites or oppressive regimes often destroyed evidence of past generations, events, or opposition figures
to rewrite history or suppress certain communities. In Nepal, for example, the Rana regime (1846-1951) was known for tight control over information, education, and even access to modern technologies like photography. In many countries with histories of authoritarian rule, including Nepal, this absence reflects deeper patterns of social control, marginalization, and historical erasure.
The absence of photographs of grandmothers—or earlier generations—can often be traced to both social and political factors, especially in countries like Nepal with histories of authoritarian rule and social control. During the Rana regime (1846-1951) in Nepal, the ruling elites maintained tight control over education, information, and modern technologies, including photography. Cameras and other modern tools were largely restricted to the elite or foreigners. Ordinary citizens, especially women and members of marginalized communities, were excluded from these tools that could document their lives and identities.
Some reasons why photographs of grandmothers (or women in general)
from that era are rare in Nepal only Rana families, nobility, or foreigners had access to photography equipment. The Ranas, like many authoritarian regimes, sought to suppress documentation of opposition figures, marginalized communities, and those they deemed “unimportant.” By limiting or destroying visual records, they made it easier to manipulate collective memory and historical narratives.
In patriarchal societies, especially under conservative rule, women were expected to remain within the private sphere, away from public visibility and documentation. Even when families had access to photography, priority was often given to capturing images of men or public figures, while women were overlooked or deliberately excluded.
Beyond technological barriers, the absence of photographs often reflects a deliberate silencing of lineage, resistance, and identity. Visual records are powerful tools for preserving family history, cultural memory, and political legacies. Their absence represents not just what was never captured—but what was actively erased or suppressed.