THESE fascinating images give a rare insight into the life of a 19th Century Indian Maharajah - and his harem of beautiful wives.

Maharajah Ram Singh II ruled in the famous pink city of Jaipur between 1835 and 1880, and was also a keen photographer.

13 Portrait of a woman in the harem of the royal palace of Jaipur, India, taken around 1857 Credit: Getty Images

13 Portrait of a woman in the harem of the royal palace of Jaipur, India, 1857 Credit: Getty Images

13 Portrait of a fakir, in the Royal Palace of Jaipur, India Credit: Getty Images

13 Double portrait of a woman in the harem of the royal palace of Jaipur, India, dated between 1857 and 1865 Credit: Getty Images

13 Full portrait of a woman in the harem in the royal palace of Jaipur, India - possibly one of the Maharajah's wives Credit: Getty Images

13 Self-portrait of the Maharajah Ram Singh III, in the royal palace of Jaipur, India Credit: Getty Images

13 A female supervisor of the harem in the royal palace who looked after the Maharajah's four wives Credit: Getty Images

His portraits of the royal harem and their female supervisor, as well as the dignitaries and fakirs who made up his inner circle, give an incredible insight into life in a royal court.

The snaps were taken between 1857 and 1865, and have been incredible well-preserved as a collection of glass negatives lay untouched for more than a century.

They also show fakirs - religious devotees who live an incredibly basic life - as well as Imperial soldiers and other royal figures at court.

The Maharajah became known as the country's first Photographer Prince, snapping pictures of his four wives and the ornately dressed figures around him every day.

Under the guidance of famous British photographer T. Murray, he developed his interest, spending hours developing photographs which have proved a vital insight for historians.

13 Military troops in the service of Maharajah Ram Singh III, sovereign of Jaipur, India. The soldiers are wearing Scottish uniforms Credit: Getty Images

13 The minister of the Maharajah, snapped in the royal palace Credit: Getty Images

13 The horse of Maharajah Ram Singh III, sovereign of Jaipur, India Credit: Getty Images

13 Portrait of a prince in the royal court of the palace of Jaipur, India Credit: Getty Images

13 Full portrait of a noteworthy man in the royal palace of Jaipur, India Credit: Getty Images

13 Group portrait of noteworthy men and visitors pictured at the royal palace during a visit Credit: Getty Images

The fascinating images were found in the Madho Nivas Wing of the City Palace in Jaipur, in Rajistan, in northern India.

Despite being a child when he ascended to the throne, the Maharajah embraced modern amenities and under his leadership the city became one of the most distinctive in the country.

He would often roam the streets incognito to observe how state officials were carrying out their work, and was recognised by the British Government, which added four guns to his salute and nominated him as a member of the Viceroy's Legislative Council.

During his reign new water works, gas works, museums and schools were built, and he devoted a lot of his time to capturing the costumes and culture of his people with his then state-of-the-art camera equipment.

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