The 14 colour frames that constitute ‘Freedom Frames: Monumental Milestones’ are accompanied by interesting nuggets that give an insight into the monuments and their role in the freedom struggle. The photo of Humayun’s Tomb, titled ‘Waltz on the Walls’, shows light filtering through a jaali, drowning the adjacent wall in a bright red sunset. Driving past the tomb, one wouldn’t realise that this was where the Mutiny of 1857 came to its end, with the capture of Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar and his sons within these precincts. These ruins were also where Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and others congregated to form the

Hindustan Socialist Republic Army in 1928 and elect Chandrashekhar Azad as its President.

‘Epicenter of Epics’ shows a majestic Purana Qila—where several conventions and meetings of freedom fighters were held—in the monsoon. “While most know the faces behind the freedom struggle, these beautiful monuments are shrouded in obscurity. After this exhibition is over, I want to take it to colleges and talk about these monuments,” says Jamal, who works as a copywriter in an advertising firm and has also shot for some ad campaigns.

While he did not fall back on history textbooks for research, Jamal spoke to historians for information. He shot on weekends, accompanied by his daughter. “I was inspired by William Dalrymple’s City of Djinns and The Last Mughal. Besides, my love for history and beautiful images led me to photo-document these monuments,” says Jamal, hosting his first exhibition.

One of the most remarkable photos is that of the Qutub Minar, seen as a reflection in a puddle. “The puddle had formed on a stone platform, and I quickly took a shot,” says Jamal. Sikander Lodi’s tomb in 360 degrees, shot on a languid evening, shows the sky smothered in a haze of leaves. “The photo is actually a reflection of the tomb in the pond and it is turned upside down for effect,” Jamal says.