Shri Gyan Chand was the eldest son of Lala Deen Dayal. With the death of his younger brothers at very young ages, and the death of his father in July 1905, he was left to handle the business in Bombay and Hyderabad. The firm still enjoyed royal patronage and Gyan Chand was |
Gyanchand Deen Dayal with his camera team |
commissioned to cover the Royal visit of King George V in 1911.
He accompanied the Royal entourage throughout the sub continent, creating a fine record of the visit.
But difficulties arose when Nizam VI, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, the chief patron of Raja Deen Dayal passed away in 1911. The seventh Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan ascended the throne at the age of 26; he had no interest in photography and withdrew the monthly stipend enjoyed by the firm for last 25 years. Gyan Chand’s sons were very young, barely teenagers when he expired in 1919. During the years from 1905 to 1919 he worked hard to retain the firm’s standing. He continued to provide all the professional services but managing both establishments proved too much of a strain for him and the Bombay studio was probably closed down in 1910 after having shifted the premises twice in the period 1905 to 1910. Financial difficulties took their toll as recoveries in Hyderabad became problematic. Gyanchand tried to keep the business running but fate ended his life and his sons were not experienced enough to take on the responsibility. |