India, Oct. 11 -- A woman in a sari worn in the style of the Kolis, a central, dhoti-like swathe of cloth transforming the wrapped fabric into no-nonsense workwear, stands on the footrest of a police van. Inside, silhouettes of women with their heads covered by their saris are visible. A policeman with a baton stands outside the van. More men in uniform are milling in the background. This photograph shows the aftermath of a protest organised by women in Bandra in July 1930. The protest was aimed at the auction of toddy shop licences, and the women sitting in the van were eventually dropped off at Ghatkopar, about 25 km away, in the Bombay Suburban District.

This is one of the 115 photographs that will be on display for six months at the ...