Fakir Collection

Yogi on bed of nails - Serampore, West Bengal, India. Date: 1925

Sri Lanka - Hindu Ascetic - Incredibly long hair
Sri Lanka - Hindu Ascetic Sadhu with incredibly long hair, worn in thick dreadlocks called jata. Date: circa 1910s

Indian costumes and vehicles, circa 1800. Hindu pandit or scholar 1, a Muslim fakir 2, a writer with palm paper 3
FLO4576348 Indian costumes and vehicles, circa 1800. Hindu pandit or scholar 1, a Muslim fakir 2, a writer with palm paper 3, idol chariot decorated with Hindu gods 4

Fakir or fukeer, begging friar, in muslin loincloth, under an umbrella next to a small shrine decorated with cowrie
FLO4565492 Fakir or fukeer, begging friar, in muslin loincloth, under an umbrella next to a small shrine decorated with cowrie shells

Fakir or fuqeer, begging friar, in muslin loincloth, yellow threads, carrying a stick with a human skull attached
FLO4565474 Fakir or fuqeer, begging friar, in muslin loincloth, yellow threads, carrying a stick with a human skull attached

Portrait of a fakir, India - Photograph second half of the 19th century
CSO4984702 Portrait of a fakir, India - Photograph second half of the 19th century -; (add.info.: Portrait of a fakir, India - Photograph second half of the 19th century -); Photo © DDF

Hindu Fakir or holy man in India; 19th century
3522579 Hindu Fakir or holy man in India; 19th century; (add.info.: Hindu Fakir or holy man in India; 19th century); Universal History Archive/UIG

Purana Puri, a Fakir or holy man, whose mode of devotional discipline was the elevation of his arms above his head
530798 Purana Puri, a Fakir or holy man, whose mode of devotional discipline was the elevation of his arms above his head. His arms lost mass and shrank as a consequence

Yogi Fakirs In The 19Th Century. From El Mundo En La Mano, Published 1878 ©UIG/Leemage
UIG5420600 Yogi Fakirs In The 19Th Century. From El Mundo En La Mano, Published 1878 ©UIG/Leemage

Fakir or fukeer, enthusiast, in muslin loincloth, pricking his skin with brassforks and sharp needles
FLO4565480 Fakir or fukeer, enthusiast, in muslin loincloth, pricking his skin with brassforks and sharp needles. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by an unknown artist from " Asiatic Costumes

Hinduism: a penitent attached to a large swing is suspended at a feast for the goddess Bhagavathi
FLO4576442 Hinduism: a penitent attached to a large swing is suspended at a feast for the goddess Bhagavathi, a fakir Dakambari holding hot coals on a metal plate

India, Fakir with monkeys, c.1890-1925 (b/w photo)
1128865 India, Fakir with monkeys, c.1890-1925 (b/w photo); Private Collection; (add.info.: Carpenter Collection)

A fakir laid on a bed of nails in Benares, India, 1907
1733660 A fakir laid on a bed of nails in Benares, India, 1907 by Unknown photographer, (20th century); (add.info.: A fakir laid on a bed of nails in Benares, India, 1907)

Hindoo Fakir; Notes on the Ancient Temples of India, 1875. Creator: Unknown
Hindoo Fakir; Notes on the Ancient Temples of India, 1875. From Illustrated Travels by H.W. Bates. [Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, c1880, London] and Galpin

Praying for Rain in Northern India; A Hindu Fakir Invoking the Gods, 1891. Creator: Unknown
Praying for Rain in Northern India; A Hindu Fakir Invoking the Gods, 1891. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper", Volume 44. July to December, 1891

Boy, child fakir, India
19th century vintage photograph: Boy, child fakir, India

Hindu Priest, Madras, India
3788839 Hindu Priest, Madras, India; (add.info.: Hindu priest, Madras (Chennai), India. Photograph from early 20th century. British postcard.); Lebrecht History

Snake Charmer (gouache and w/c on paper)
DND221210 Snake Charmer (gouache and w/c on paper) by Indian School; Private Collection; Dinodia

Fakir, or Mussulman saint, of Hoshungabad, Central India, 1864. Creator: Unknown
Fakir, or Mussulman saint, of Hoshungabad, Central India, 1864. The extraordinary figure delineated in our Engraving is the reverend Wuzzeer Alee Shah Mulung, a well-known Fakir, or Mussulman saint

An Indian Fakir, Victorian period

Holy Man or Fakir, India - Victorian period

Fakir or Holy Man, India - Victorian period

India - Golden Temple of Amritsar - fakirs early 1900s

Fakir Arab Arabs Drink Selling Aromatic Water
fakir, arab, arabs, drink, selling, aromatic, water, in, the, streets, of, cairo, 1898, 1890s, jar, drinking, souvenir, egypt, egyptian, middle, east, 13944201

Muslim fakir or faqir penitents performing prayers and mortification. Udbahu with raised arm
FLO4623799 Muslim fakir or faqir penitents performing prayers and mortification. Udbahu with raised arm, and others praying standing, seated or lying down

Muslim fakir or faqir holy men: naga with stick, paramahamsa sitting under a tree, painted sannyasi, naked avadhuta
FLO4623751 Muslim fakir or faqir holy men: naga with stick, paramahamsa sitting under a tree, painted sannyasi, naked avadhuta, robed Baisnab Vaisnava and fakir at prayer

The arrival of the 13th Dalai Lama (d. 1933) in India, illustration from Le Petit Journal
CHT176301 The arrival of the 13th Dalai Lama (d.1933) in India, illustration from Le Petit Journal, 20th March 1910 (colour litho) by French School

The invulnerable fakir in Panopticon in Berlin
7278839 The invulnerable fakir in Panopticon in Berlin. by Unknown Artist, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The invulnerable fakir in Panopticon in Berlin)

Hindoo Fakir, 1875. Creator: Unknown
Hindoo Fakir; (Elephant shooting in the Dehra Dhoon), 1875. [Indian holy man with pierced cheeks, holding an item of religious significance]. From, Illustrated Travels by H.W. Bates

Fakirs Wounding Themselves, c1891. Creator: James Grant
Fakirs Wounding Themselves, c1891. From " Cassells Illustrated History of India Vol. II.", by James Grant. [Cassell Petter & Galpin, London, Paris and New York]

View of the "House of Fakirs", Baroda, c1891. Creator: James Grant
View of the " House of Fakirs", Baroda, c1891. From " Cassells Illustrated History of India Vol. I.", by James Grant. [Cassell Petter & Galpin, London, Paris and New York]

Indian Fakir, c1891. Creator: James Grant
Indian Fakir, c1891. From " Cassells Illustrated History of India Vol. I.", by James Grant. [Cassell Petter & Galpin, London, Paris and New York]

The snake charmer (litho)
7171064 The snake charmer (litho) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The snake charmer. Illustration for The World and its People, a Comprehensive Tour of All Lands)

Faquirs indiens dansant devant un temple hindou (engraving)
7179491 Faquirs indiens dansant devant un temple hindou (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Faquirs indiens dansant devant un temple hindou)

Un fakir (A fakir) - Peinture de Vasili Vasilyevich Vereshchagin (Vassili Verechtchaguine) (1842-1904)
FIA5367474 Un fakir (A fakir) - Peinture de Vasili Vasilyevich Vereshchagin (Vassili Verechtchaguine) (1842-1904), huile sur bois (24, 2x18, 8 cm), 1874-1876

A fakir Page from the manuscript (ms. 8300) "History of the Mogul"
GIA4815730 A fakir Page from the manuscript (ms.8300) " History of the Mogul" (Moghul or Moghol) by Stefano Nivibus Cardeira. 18th century

India. Fakirs walking on incandescent coals. 19th century engraving
GIA4745375 India. Fakirs walking on incandescent coals. 19th century engraving. by Unknown Artist, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: India. Fakirs walking on incandescent coals)

Hindu fakirs practising their superstitious rites (engraving)
972299 Hindu fakirs practising their superstitious rites (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

A fakir (chromolitho)
2782687 A fakir (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A fakir. Liebig card, published in late 19th or early 20th century)

Indian fakir or holy man, India, c. 1900
Indian fakir or holy man, India, c.1900

c. 1860s India - tribal man with impressive beard

Gosiens or Fakirs at Ahmedabad, 1858 (oil on paper)
MGS149654 Gosiens or Fakirs at Ahmedabad, 1858 (oil on paper) by Wray, General E.W. (1823-92); 24.5x17 cm; Private Collection; eMichael Graham-Stewart; English, out of copyright

Muslim fakir penitents performing prayers and mortification
Muslim fakir or faqir penitents performing prayers and mortification. Udbahu with raised arm, and others praying standing, seated or lying down

Muslim fakir or faqir holy men in India
Muslim fakir or faqir holy men: naga with stick, paramahamsa sitting under a tree, painted sannyasi, naked avadhuta, robed Baisnab Vaisnava and fakir at prayer

Mr William, the American Fakir with his tattoed dog (b / w photo)
3639190 Mr William, the American Fakir with his tattoed dog (b/w photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mr William)

Horse, Camel, and Bullock Fair at Pokhar, Rajputana, India (engraving)
1045884 Horse, Camel, and Bullock Fair at Pokhar, Rajputana, India (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Horse, Camel, and Bullock Fair at Pokhar, Rajputana)

Fakir indien (engraving)
3635638 Fakir indien (engraving) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Fakir indien. Illustration for Les Races Humaines by Louis Figuier (Hachette, 1872)

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During the Victorian period in India, fakirs were revered as holy men and spiritual practitioners. These ascetics dedicated their lives to seeking enlightenment and connecting with a higher power. They were often found at sacred sites such as the Golden Temple of Amritsar, where they would engage in prayer and meditation. One can imagine an Indian fakir from this era, dressed in humble attire, sitting cross-legged with raised hands. Their eyes closed in deep concentration as they channel divine energy. The aura surrounding them is palpable, radiating tranquility and wisdom. In another scene, we witness a Muslim fakir or faqir penitent engaging in prayers and mortification. Udbahu stands tall with his arm raised high while others pray standing, seated or lying down nearby. This image captures the diversity of religious practices within the fakir community. The Arab Fakir is seen selling aromatic water to passersby on bustling streets. His colorful attire catches everyone's attention as he skillfully pours fragrant liquid into small cups for customers to enjoy. Aromas fill the air, enticing people to experience this unique offering. Francois Solvyns' illustrations depict various types of Muslim fakirs or faqirs: naga holding a stick symbolizing discipline; paramahamsa peacefully sitting under a tree; painted sannyasi adorned with vibrant colors; naked avadhuta embodying simplicity; robed Baisnab Vaisnava representing devotion; and finally, a devout fakir engrossed in prayer. These glimpses into the world of Indian fakirs during different periods showcase their unwavering commitment to spirituality and self-discovery. Whether through intense rituals or peaceful contemplation, these holy men sought transcendence beyond material existence. Today, although times have changed significantly since the Victorian era, India still cherishes its rich spiritual heritage that includes these remarkable fakirs.