Viceroy Lord Curzon Cavalcade British India, 1903 Photo
Old 1903 photo showing an impressive cavalcade of Lord Curzon the then Viceroy of British India. Escorted by British and Indian cavalry leading him to the Durbar grounds. Curzon organized the 1903 Delhi Durbar which was the grandest of them all. The Durbars were lavish ceremonies to honor the British Monarchy’s emperors or empresses.
It was in a way to show the world Britain’s absolute dominion over India. The first Delhi Durbar was in 1877 honouring Queen Victoria with the new title “Empress of India. It was held in her absence since she could not make it to the ceremony. The second Durbar was held in 1903. Meticulously organized by Lord Curzon to the last detail.
This was to mark the accession of Edward Prince of Wales to King Edward VII. The son and successor to Queen Victoria who died in 1901. The new monarch too could not make it to the Durbar. Though he had toured the Indian sub-continent as the Prince of Wales from November 1875 to March 1876. The king deputed his brother the Duke of Connaught in his place. The last of the Delhi Durbar was in 1911. Honoring King George V on his accession to the throne after his father Edward VII’s death. Click on the photo for better view.
Did you know- despite Lord Curzon’s successful stint as Viceroy and Foreign Secretary, he was denied British prime ministership in 1923.
From the collection- Vintage Raja Ravi Varma “Saraswati” Oleograph., Vintage Postcard Bangalore Cubbon Park., Vintage Book – With Wellesley To Madras.
