Grand Elephant Procession 1903 Delhi Durbar, 1903 Photo
A 1903 photo of the grand elephant procession of the 1903 Delhi Durbar. The grand durbar marked the succession of King Edward VII to the throne after his mother Queen Victoria’s death in 1902. Viceroy Lord Curzon, considered the 1903 durbar to be his. He spent six months planning to the last detail. King Edward VII, to Curzon’s great disappointment, could not make it but sent his brother, the Duke of Connaught
The Delhi Durbar began with the state entry into Delhi. The elephant procession was probably the most astounding sight ever seen by the locals and Westerners alike. There were 48 massive elephants, carrying Lord and Lady Curzon, the Duke and Duchesses of Connaught. And not to forget the countless number of maharajas and princes.
Curzon wanted the durbar to be more Indian than the 1877 assemblage. He wanted greater active participation of the princes, and also to become the centerpiece of the 1911 durbar. Thus the groundwork for the recognition of Delhi as the imperial capital was strengthed by him. The grand ceremony became one of the finest spectacles not only in India but probably the world had ever seen for a long time. There were in all three Durbars that were held during British rule, these were in 1877, 1903, and 1911.
Read more about The Delhi Durbar and the Proclamation of Queen Victoria. See post Procession of Indian Princes Delhi Durbar 1903 – Old Postcard.
Did you know- Edward the VII was declared Emperor of India. The Durbar was to highlight the supposed glory of the monarchy and its Empire.
From the collection- Raja Ravi Varma’s “Birth of Shakuntala” Oleograph c1894., Standard “S” Vintage Car In Madras – Old Print 1914., View of Elephanta Caves Bombay – 2 Old Postcards 1910., Crawford Market Mumbai – Rare Old Print 1874., Kochin or Kochi In 1730 – Antique Hand Colored Plan
