Princess Victoria Gowramma’s story, the subject of a recent biography, is a somewhat sad one of a girl caught up in the politics of empire. There are a few parallels with the Pocahontas story – the conversion to Christianity, the inter-racial marriage, travel to England, the early death. Though the Gowramma-Campbell marriage is hardly the stuff of celluloid romance.

In this picture her dress is already like the modern version of the sari thanks to it being worn in the pleated (aka nivi) style. As is the fitted blouse/choli.  And there is the jewellery belt, common in South India for awhile.

You can see her in western dress here as well as a painting of the Princesshere.