Photograph of five Nepali labourers, four of them are standing, one sitting on ground, in a wood. The four standing men have baskets of goods strapped to their backs, via ropes over their heads. They carry sticks and knives.

This is one of a series of photographs from a published volume documenting the tour the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, made of the Indian subcontinent in 1875-76. Referred to as 'Coolies' in the original title, this was a derogatory term given by Europeans to unskilled, often indentured, labourers in South and Southeast Asia.

In an effort to strengthen diplomatic relations between the Indian rulers and the British Crown, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of Queen Victoria, embarked on a tour of the Indian subcontinent in October 1875. The Prince visited 21 towns and cities across parts of modern-day India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal, where he exchanged and received gifts from each ruler he met during his tour. The Prince returned to England in May 1876. As a result of the visit, six photographic albums were compiled of portraits, groups and views. Some of the photographs were commercial prints already available; others were specially taken to commemorate the tour.