A unique exhibition titled "Salt Lines" has emerged at the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Mumbai, shining a light on a largely forgotten chapter of India's colonial past: the Inland Customs Line, also known as the Great Hedge of India. This 4,000-kilometer "living border," primarily composed of a dense hedge of thorny plants, was erected by the British in the 19th century to enforce a monopoly on salt. The exhibition, a creation of artist duo Himali Singh Soin and David Soin Tappeser (Hylozoic/Desires), opened on December 5, 2025, and is scheduled to run until February 8, 2026.
"Salt Lines" delves into the history and legacy of this botanical barrier, which stretched from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal. Approximately 2,500 kilometers of the line consisted of a physical hedge, described as "utterly impassable to man or beast". The British meticulously constructed and maintained this barrier, employing thousands of customs officials to patrol it and prevent the illegal trade of salt. Salt, once lightly taxed under previous Indian rulers, became a significant source of revenue for the British Empire.
The exhibition employs a variety of media, including textiles, video, sound, and photography, to explore the multifaceted history of the Inland Customs Line. At the heart of the exhibition is a 20-meter-long cotton wall adorned with crimson prints. One side features neat plant patterns, while the other displays chaotic termite marks, symbolizing the contrasting impacts of the border. The artists block-printed the textile using dyes derived from indigenous shrubs like babool and karonda, connecting the artwork to the landscape of the former hedge.
Hylozoic/Desires stumbled upon the history of the Inland Customs Line while researching salt. They were struck by the sheer scale of the project and how it had faded from public memory. The artists aim to re-examine the afterlives of the empire and prompt reflection on the lasting impact of colonial projects. They weave together archival fragments and imaginative possibilities, encouraging viewers to move through the gaps in history and recognize the past's continued presence in the present. The exhibition doesn't seek to restore what has vanished but rather offers a way to perceive what flickers at the edges of sight.
The "Salt Lines" exhibition is a collaborative effort between the RMZ Foundation, India Art Fair, and the Alkazi Foundation. Anu Menda, Chair of the RMZ Foundation, emphasized the importance of institutional collaboration in fostering cultural work and providing platforms for artists. By drawing visitors into the dispersed remnants of a largely forgotten colonial project, "Salt Lines" opens a wider field of reflection, considering the hedge's afterlife in the landscape and the bureaucratic habits that continue to shape contemporary life. The exhibition invites visitors to contemplate the profound act of erasure that occurred with the dismantling of the Inland Customs Line and to consider the residues that remain.
