King & Queen At The Delhi Durbar’s Royal Pavilion, 1911 Photo
Shown in this 1911 photo are King George V and Queen Mary at the royal pavilion of the Delhi Durbar in 1911. The grand ceremony was also known as Coronation Durbar, Imperial Durbar, or Proclamation Durbar. It apparently, gained massive coverage from the world’s press, described as a spectacular display of imperial power and military strength of the British Raj.
The Durbar had been planned for over one year, with Viceroy Lord Hardinge monitoring every detail. The day of the ceremony, 12th December 1911, was typical Delhi winter’s day. There were officials in their full uniforms, and princes in their ceremonial dresses. Spectators, approximately 100,000 streamed into the amphitheatre to watch the extravaganza.
King George and Queen Mary were seated on a dais under the royal pavilion. Each Indian prince advanced according to protocol to pay their respects and present a small gift. The Nizam of Hyderabad was the most senior and was first in line to pay his respects, see photo. There were three Delhi Durbars that were held during the British Raj era viz. 1877, 1903, and 1911. Click image to enlarge.
Did you know – the Nizam presented a gift of enormous rubies, followed by other princes bearing gifts of sparkling jewels, gold cloth, ivory, a walking stick carved from a single ruby, and so on.
Past posts – 1837 Watercolour Painting of Indian & European Soldiers., Writer’s Building In British Era Calcutta, 1900 Postcard.
