England / UK: 'Opium Smoking in the Lascar's Room', London (1873).

Engraved image titled: 'Opium Smoking-The Lascar's Room in Edwin Drood', from Harper's Weekly. A 'Lascar' was a sailor or militiaman from the Indian subcontinent or other countries east of the Cape of Good Hope, employed on European ships from the 16th century until the beginning of the 20th century. The word comes from the Persian Lashkar, meaning military camp or army, and al-askar, the Arabic word for a guard or soldier. The Portuguese adapted this term to lascarim, meaning an Asian militiaman or seaman, especially those from South Asia.

Copyright:

Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd

Credit:

Pictures From History

Theme:

Opium, Overseas Chinese,