India Independence Day: Colourised photos of the first day released
LEONARD/MEDIADRUM Colourised photographs have been released of the first day of Indian Independence from Great Britain
The incredible photographs show the eruption of joy among Indian civilians, alongside the proud laughter of their saviour Gandhi. Accompanying video footage of the handover ceremony by British Viceroy Mountbatten to the first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru show Indian troops on parade and controlling crowds. Another rare colourised photo shows the partition of India in 1947 and a meeting between Gandhi and Louis Mountbatten, a British naval officer and statesman.
LEONARD/MEDIADRUM Louis Mountbatten and Mahatma Gandhi
The stunning photographs were colourised by electrician, Royston Leonard from Cardiff, Wales, who has spent hours bringing the photos to life.
It was hard because of the photos were taken a long time ago and getting the pictures to look correct Royston Leonard
"The rebirth of a country through a long peaceful protest shows it can be done and fighting was not needed to win freedom. Just understanding on both sides," Royston said. Mountbatten was the last Viceroy of India and the first Governor of independent India from 1947 to 1948. The Indian independence movement surrounded activities and ideas aiming to end the East India Company rule (between 1757 and 1858) and the British Indian Empire (between 1858 and 1947) in the Indian subcontinent.
LEONARD/MEDIADRUM The stunning photographs were colourised by electrician, Royston Leonard from Cardiff
LEONARD/MEDIADRUM Crowds celebrating first day of Indian Independence from Great Britain
He says that despite the positive result, he did struggle with it. "It was hard because of the photos were taken a long time ago and getting the pictures to look correct," Royston said. "It shows the world that after only 70 years India is now a modern leader in the way forward to a better future for industry and culture; a mix of old and new with the problems that brings."
LEONARD/MEDIADRUM Mahatma Gandhi laughing