18 January 2012 Last updated at 09:49 ET

In pictures: Homai Vyarawala's journey through history

India's first woman photo-journalist Homai Vyarawala - who died on 15 January at the age of 98 - witnessed and took pictures of some of the most important events in her country both before and after its independence. (All photos courtesy of the Homai Vyarawala Archive/Alkazi Collection of Photography).

Mahatma Gandhi arriving at the end of the meeting of the Congress committee, where its members debated a decision to partition the country

Ms Vyarawala was present at key events that had a decisive impact on Indian history, including a meeting where leaders voted for a plan leading to India's partition.

Lord Mountbatten taking the salute at the guard of honour, Rashtrapati Bhawan, when leaving office as the governor-general in June 1948

She was also one of the few Indians still alive in the 21st century who personally witnessed the departure of the British from India, getting this close-up shot of Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy.

The Dalai Lama in ceremonial dress enters India through a high mountain pass in Sikkim in 1956. He is followed by the Panchen Lama

Throughout her long career, she photographed presidents, prime ministers, visiting dignitaries and historic events, including the arrival of the Dalai Lama into India through a high mountain pass in Sikkim in 1956.

Jawaharlal Nehru posing with dancers on Republic Day at Teen Murti House in Delhi in the 1950s

Ms Vyarawala told interviewers that her favourite subject was Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister.

Jawaharlal Nehru releasing a pigeon at a function at the National Stadium, Delhi, in the mid-1950s

"Nehru used to get surprised whenever he saw me at his functions and used to remark, 'You too have come here?'," she told the Press Trust Of India news agency in an interview.

Cover of The Illustrated Weekly showing a home leather worker

Born on 9 December 1913 to a Parsi family, Ms Vyarawala grew up in the western Indian city of Mumbai and moved to the capital in 1942. She worked for many publications, including the Illustrated Weekly of India.

Queen Elizabeth II inspecting the third class compartment of a train used by Mahatma Gandhi

The list of people she came into contact with reads like a world Who's Who of the 20th Century. In many cases she defied heavy security and rival photographers to get the best shots.

Photographers at a photo session with Indira Gandhi (left)

Critics say that Ms Vyarawala's work spanned the euphoria of independence as well as widespread disillusionment over undelivered promises in the new nation-state. Perhaps the only woman photo-journalist in India between 1939 and 1970, her sheer talent allowed her to overcome obstacles in a male-dominated profession.

Jacqueline Kennedy and Indira Gandhi at Teen Murti House in 1962

Ms Vyarawala will be remembered as an unobtrusive photographer who succeeded in capturing her subjects in relaxed and natural poses. Her work spanning four decades means that she will be remembered as one of India's greatest photo-journalists.

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In pictures: Homai Vyarawala's journey through history

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