As an official photographer in the British colonial service in India, Linnaeus Tripe traveled through Southeast India for four months in 1857–58 with a mandate to document sites “that are interesting to the Antiquary, Architect, Sculptor, Mythologist and Historian,” while also noting that, “the Picturesque may be allowed perhaps, supplementally.” In Trichinopoly (now called Tiruchirappalli), he photographed from the south and west—views that show the massive fort extending from the west side of the rock that dominates the city. This view, from the east, shows the rock capped by a 7th-century Hindu temple to the elephant-headed Lord Ganesha.