Bombay Welcomes King George & Queen Mary, 1911
A rare photo 1911 photo of King George V and Queen Mary welcomed in Bombay, now Mumbai. King-Emperor George V and Queen Mary landed at Apollo Bunder Pier to attend the Delhi Durbar in 1911. The main objective was to attend the Delhi Durbar in honor of King George V’s succession as King-Emperor.
Arriving on the Royal Ship Medina they were hugely welcomed by the elite of Bombay. Since they were the first and the only British Monarch to step on Indian soil during British colonial rule. And Bombay was the first city they would visit during their grand tour of India. A pavilion was erected and facing it was an open-air grandstand, see photo.
The image shows their Royal Majesties under the pavilion facing the jam-packed grandstand. Visible on the left is seemingly a mounted ceremonial parade. The famous Taj Mahal Hotel and Greens Hotel loom in the background. Interestingly the “strand road” in front of the Taj Mahal Hotel is crowded with spectators. The rooftops and balconies are also packed with spectators. The Royal Couple would visit several places including Jaipur, Agra, Calcutta, Nepal, etc. Click on the photo for better view.
See also King George V (1865-1936) and Queen Mary (1867-1953) in Bombay 2 – 2 Dec 1911.
Did you know – a magnificent plaster welcome arch was temporarily erected on their visit. This would give way to a permanent commemorative structure on the royals visit to India. Which was the Gateway of India, that now majestically stands in its place.
From the collection – Raja Ravi Varma’s “Mohini On A Swing” – Vintage Print 1930s., British India Era Shipping Advertisement Postcard 1930s., Old Book – From Lisbon To Calicut 1956.
The images are of the actual items from my collection. And Not a photocopy, pirated, reproduced, stock photos, or taken from other sources.
