British Royal Proceeds To Delhi Durbar Via Chandni Chowk, 1903 Photo
A 1903 photo of British Royal proceeding to the Delhi Durbar via Chandni Chowk. The royal in question was, Arthur, the Duke of Connaught, and accompanying him was Lord Curzon, the viceroy of India and the chief architect and organizer of the 1903 Delhi Durbar.
Mounted guards escort the duke and the viceroy to the grand ceremony in an impressive parade through Chandni Chowk. A huge crowd of people is seen lined up on both sides of the road. The durbar was to mark the succession of King Edward VII to the British throne. The absent king was also proclaimed with the additional title of “Emperor of India” in the ceremony.
Since the king could not make it, he deputed his brother Prince Arthur the Duke of Connaught in his place. Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy had organized the durbar to a such a spectacular scale, that it was considered to be the grandest of all the durbars. It showcased colonial power, that in a way to show the world, Britain’s absolute dominion over the British Empire. Rivaled only by the Moghul Durbars.
Read more Coronation of King Edward VII.
Did you know- it should also be remembered India suffered many famines under colonial rule, the first was in 1770 and the last and the worst in 1943-44 (Bengal famine).
From the collection- Vintage Postcard Raja Ravi Varma’s Portrait., Cochin or Kochi In 1729 – Antique Hand Colored Map.,
