Grand Elephant Procession At The 1903 Delhi Durbar, 1903 Photo
A 1903 photo shows the grand elephant procession at the 1903 Delhi Durbar. The event marked the succession of King Edward VII to the British throne after his mother Queen Victoria’s death in 1902. Viceroy Lord Curzon planned the grand ceremony meticulously to the last detail. However, to Curzon’s great disappointment King Edward VII, would not make it, and instead sent his brother, the Duke of Connaught.
The Durbar began with the state’s entry into Delhi, which consisted of a grand elephant procession. It was probably the most astounding sight ever seen by the locals and Westerners alike. The elephants carried Lord and Lady Curzon, the Duke and Duchesses of Connaught. And not to forget the countless number of maharajas and princes, there were a total of 48 massive elephants.
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. The grand ceremony became one of the finest spectacles not only in India but probably the world had ever seen before. Thus, the groundwork for recognizing Delhi as the imperial capital was strengthened by Curzon. There were in all three Durbars that were conducted during British Raj viz. 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.
