A black and white landscape photograph of the Dewan Devdi in Hyderabad. The photograph is made of two panels, either cut from a larger photograph or two separate photographs intended to be joined together. A rectangular pond can be seen in the centre of the photograph, surrounded by plants, shrubs and palm trees in pots arranged as ornamental gardens. A taller palm tree, growing in the ground, can be seen in the foreground to the right of the image. Another larger tree can be seen on the opposite corner of the pond, to the left of the image. The pond and gardens are framed by path clear of vegetation running around the outside. At least seven women and men can be seen in this area, mostly on the right side of the image. The buildings on three sides of this courtyard are visible; most have colonnades running along some or all of their length. Beyond the courtyard, some treetops and rooftops of Hyderabad are visible. This includes roof of the Makkah Masjid (see ALB1783.11) and the Charminar (see ALB1783.12), both to the right of the image. Original caption (below, in ink): 'Sir Salar Jung's Palace Hyderabad'.

The Dewan Devdi belonged to the aristocratic Salar Jung family of Hyderabad. The palace complex included numerous buildings set in gardens, added at different times. Residents included Sir Mir Turab Ali Khan, Salar Jung I (represented in SCL/13), a noted decorative arts collector. His collection was on display in different parts of the palace complex, including the Aina Khana (glass room) and Chini Khana (porcelain room).

The power and status of the many Indian royal families and aristocrats declined rapidly after 1947 as their territories were integrated into independent India. The Salar Jung decorative arts collection was left to the nation and moved to the purpose-built Salar Jung Museum in 1951. The Government of India did not acquire the Dewan Devdi and it was eventually demolished in the 1960s. Only one of its gateways survives today.