THE GREAT DELHI DURBAR

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 185, 3 February 1912, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE GREAT DELHI DURBAR

MOST GORGEOUS PAGEANT IN THE WORLD'S HISTORY. The Coronation Durbar is over. Stupendous in conception, and superbly staff eil and conducted, the most stirring and brilliant spectacle ever seen in Hindustan has become history, for in the glorious sunshine of a perfect Indian day George V., King and Emperor, has in person proclaimed his Coronation in his Empire in the East, and he himself, and at his command the Governor-General, have made announcements which have been received with gratitude and acclamation by all his Indian subjects. Writing while the great plain which has just witnessed the most impressive of many dramas enacted there is still surging with a mass of men and horses, one feels satiated with emotion. For swelling harmonies, the blare of trumpets, and the booming of guns still echo in the ear, and the eye is still dazzled by the great procession of gorgeous color and flashing gems. The mind is overwhelmed with ideas, but out of the chaos of impressions emerges one clear and thrilling picture: that of the King-Emperor and the Queen-Em-press standing high above the thronging tide of Eastern life, receiving the instinctive and spontaneous homage of a hundred thousand souls. At the first streak of the chilly dawn people began to arrive at the great ampitheatre, although the time fixed for the great Durbar ceremony was noon; but the early comers had much to keep them interested.

INDIA'S MILLIONS. The ampitheatre stands only just outside the canvas city, and all through the morning the main rbads were crowded with people wending their way to the, great ceremony. Thousands came on foot, many others horseback or bicycles or in mule and bullock carts, and some spent fabulous sums in hiring even country carts or pony tongas. There were splendid motor cars in hundreds for the wealthy and those in high estate. The British Governors arrived in State equipages, the Indian Princes in coaches and gold and silver carriages that rivalled one another in magnificence. The people's mound gradually began to fill with spectators, whose gaily-colored clothes gave it the appearance at a distance of a bank of flowers of every form and hue. Here were gathered together men of all creeds and castes, representing in a special sense the voiceless millions of India who till the soil or work at the loom. There they sat, patient and wondering, contemplating the gathering splendor of the scene before them with inscrutable eyes —men whose ancestors, humbler than themselves, had seen the vanished glory of other days, and had stiffered sorrows and cruelties that'other kings and dynasties had imposed. What did these people think of the King-Em-peror who had come from across the sea to stand here in their midst, in all the proud pomp and panoply of Imperial State, and make pronouncements that the whole of India had waited for with breathless interest? It has been said that the people of India do not greet their King-Emperor as their white fellowsubjects do with loud acclaim and heartfelt cheering, but with silent reverence and prayers for grace.

A DAZZLIXG PICTURE. This is still tnic to a great extent, but during the last few days the old order of things seems to have changed. Western influence and habits have triumphed over tradition, and as (he KingEmperor has passed through the streets of the oily and along the' Durbar road men. whose greeting or old was silent, have broken into vociferous shouts of loyalty and joy. "Would the thousands on the mound greet the in Oriental silence or with Western cheering? While the people were gathering the smaller ampitheatre was filling with British officials, ruling chiefs and privileged guests: and here, too, were the princes and .nobles in dresses of silk, velvet and gold, with flashing iewels of fabulous value. These, with the lovely costumes of fair women, the brilliant gold and silver-laced uniforms of political and military officers, and even the sombre morning dress of civilian spectators, made a dazzling picture. In the centre of the vast arena troops were taking up their positions, occupying a .semi-circle round the gilt-domed 'canopy. Bands and pipes have made brave music as the troops marched into the arena and took up their appointed places, lieprcsentatives of each division were assembled here, and in all the troops in the arena numbered 20.000 men, with massed bands on the left and volunteers on the right. The spread out like-a fan, the rear of each regiment widening until the whole covered half the circle of the arena. Imperial Service troops, artillery, cavalry, the Highlanders, the Curkhas, Sikhs, riflemen, Pioneers and Fusiliers, made a magnificent show; while men of the Royal Navy and marines were grouped on either'side of the flagstaff in front of the canopy.

THRONES OP GOLD. Tlio honor of unfurling the Roval Standard on the King-Emperor'-, arrival foil to Lieutenant Headlam, of the Juflian .Marines, who was in the picturesque scarlet, blue and yellow uniform of his corps. With tfie colors flying, with pen„ons iluttering in the wind, and with drums heating, the troops looked splendid as they moved past in a brilliant and imposing array. fn many men's minds th.e concentration of these'representative units around the Imperial Thrones was the feature of the day. Nothing could, indeed, have been more signilicant of the might of the British Empire. Last to arrive were the guards of honor. To the gay skirl of the pipes the Black Watch came at a swinging march down the central avenue and took up a. position to the right of the Throne, the 3rd Sikhs following to the music of their band and taking their post to the left. The latter regiment was chosen to furnish a guard on the Throne pavilion because its ranks include Sikhs, Dogras, Pathans and Mohammedans, while a huge Grenadier Guardsman also stood sentry there. Now the great white amphitheatre, with its gold-tipped cupolas, was full, and the wealth of color ami the jewels that Idled it could hardly be suryassed. The setting was superb in its "splendor. In the centre rose the Imperial canopy, looking like pure white marble domed with gold! It emerged like a shrine out of a silent sea of glittering bayonets, swords and lances, and the golden Thrones on the golden carpet were sharplv outlined against the sky. These two Thrones, as well as those in the shamiana, were similar, except that the King-Emperor's was slightly taller than the Queen's, and had golden lions on the arms. They were reached by a- stately ilight of steps'.

THE WOULD LOOKS ON. It was, indeed, a gathering of marvellous splendor that the King-Emperor would look upon. Here sat mingled together in one rich, gorgeous eolor scheme governors and rules of the provinces which constitute the Indian Empire, proud, blue-blooded, chiefs from Rajputana and Central India, wearing their jewelled weapons and decked in richest silks, with flashing diamonds, wild Baluchi and Pathan sirdars from the northwest frontier. Shan chieftains from the far away Eastern border in amazing golden pagoda-shaped hats, Judges of the

High Court at Fort William, in scarlet, judicial robes and full-bottomed wigs, Burmese in their picturesque costumes, Afghans and Nepalese, with men from Sikkim, and Tibet in their quaint national dress, many noble leaders of English society, clusters of wide-eyed and wondering American and Australian tourists, visitors from China, Ceylon, Japan, and other countries far over the seas, with guests and delegates from all the great cities, towns and districts of India.

Arrangements for the purdah ladies were as artistic as they were efficient. At the back of the ampitheatre was a series of boxes, very like the baignoires of French theatres, screened from the public gaze by delicate trellis work. Soon a stir outside told the people within the area that the actors in the ceremony were arriving. ' A moment after members of the Royal Household, with Lord Crewe, arrived and took their seats. A flash of bayonets and the glint of lances announced the approach of Lord and Lady Hardinge. Leading their procession came a dashing escort of the King's Dragoon Guards, and next followed the Vice-regal carriage, with the 11th Indian Lancers bringing up the rear.

COMING OF THE KING. At 11.30 their Majesties left their camp attended by two equerries on horseback and an escort composed of the 10th Hussars, the "N" Battery Royal Horse Artillery, the Governor General's stalwart bodyguard in scarlet and gold, the Imperial Cadet Corps resplendent in blue, white and gold, and the gallant JBth Indian Lancers. Sir Pertab Singh and Captain Keighley, of the Viceroy's bodyguard, rode beside their Majesties' carriage. The King wore a robe of Imperial purple and a surcoat of purple, white satin breeches, and silk stockings, with the collar of the Order of the Garter and the Star of India, and the Star of the latter Order. His Majesty wore the Imperial Crown, consisting of a band of diamonds, studded with large emeralds and sapphires, with rubies in the centre and a cap of purple velvet turned up with ermine. The Queen wore a white satin dress embroidered with a design of gold roses, thistles and shamrocks, with a border ,of lotus flowers. The Star of Indiaw as embroidered on the front of the dress. Her Majesty's robe was of purple velvet trimmed with ermine and a border of gold braid, and she wore the Orders of the Garter and the Crown of India, Her ornaments were a diamond and emerald necklace and brooches. Passing down the avenue leading from the Royal tent, this imposing procession moved along the'road past the ornamental camps into the Kingsway, the decorations of which almost baffle description. This thoroughfare was lined by thousands of excited people, all standing behind lines of soldiery, who guarded either side.

THE DURBAR OPENS. As the Imperial carriage entered the ampitheatre the guns of three, batteries behind the structure began to lire a Royal salute, and the bands played the Grand March from the "Prophete." To this accompaniment their Majesties' carriage passed half round the arena in front of the "people's mound," and as it went by a deafening shout of welcome arose from the standing' throng. . Down the central avenue the cortege came, and round to the Durbar shamiana. As their Majesties reached the shamiana the KingEmperor and Queen-Empress were received by Lord Hardinge, and waiting on the steps were, several little Princes of India, who were to act as train bearers. It was a glittering company that moved towards the Thrones, and when their Majesties had taken their seats. Sir Henry McMahon, Master of the Ceremonies, stepped forward and received the .King-Emperor's command, to open -the Durbar. •' At a sign from'the Master of Ceremonies to the massed bands the trumpets rang out, the drums followed, and the historical Durbar had begun. Scarcely had the last echoes of the trumpets and the rumbling drums died away, when the King-Emperor rose to make h'is speech. He stood before the vast as-, sembly dad in his Coronation robes, and looked every inch a King amongst men of kingly descent. The Queen-Empress sat on his left, also wearing her robes. #

THE KING'S SPEECH. Save for the subdued murmur from the people's mound, wonderful silence prevailed a* the King-Emperor rose and proceeded to read as follows:—This year has been to the QueenEmpress and myself one of many great ceremonies and of an unusual, though happy, burden of toil. But, in spite of time and distance, the grateful recollections of our last visit to India have drawn us again to the hind which we then learned to love, and we started with bright hope on our long journey to revisit tilt- country in whicWe had already met the kindness of a home. In doing so, I have fulfilled the wish expressed in my message of last July to announce to you in person my Coronation, celebrated on the 2:2 ml of June in Westminster Abbey, when, by the grace of God, the Crown of my forefathers was placed .on my head with solemn form and ancient ceremony. By my presence with the Queen-Empress 1 am also anxious to show our affection for the loyal Princes and faithful people of India, and how dear to our hearts is the welfare and happiness of the Indian Empire. It was, moreover, my desire that those who could not be present at the solemnity ar the Coro.- ' nation _ should have tlie opportunity of taking part in its commemoration at Delhi. It is a sincere pleasure and gratification to myself and the Queen-Empress ■ to behold this vast assemblage, and in it my Governors and trusty officials, my great Princes, the representatives of the people and the deputations from the military forces of my Indian Dominions. I shall receive in person with heartfelt satisfaction the homage and allegiance which they loyally desire to render, I am deeply impressed with the thought that a spirit of sympathy and affectionate goodwill' unite's Princes and people with me on this historic occasion. hi token of these sentiments, I have decided to commemorate the event of my Coronation by certain marks of my especial favor'anil consideration, and these I will later on to-day cause to be .announced by my Governor-General to this assembly. Finally, I rejoice to have this opportunity of renewing in my own person those assurances which have been given you by my revered predecessors of the maintenance of your rights and privileges, and of my earnest concern for your welfare, peace and contentment. the Divine favor of Providence watch over my people and assist me in my utmost endeavor, to promote their happiness and prosperity. To all present, feudatories and subjects, I tender our loving greeting. We arc pleased to announce to our people that on the advice of our Ministers, tendered after consultation with our (ioveruor-Genenll-in-Council, we have decided upon the transfer of the seat of the Government of India from Calcutta to the ancient capital of Delhi, and simultaneously, and as a consequence of that transfer, the creation at as early a date as possible of a Governorship for the Presidency of Bengal of a new Lieutenant-Govembr-in-Council, administering the areas of Behar, Chola, Nagpur and Orissa, and of a Chief Commissionership of Assam

with such administrative changes.and redistribution of boundaries as our Uovenior-General-in-Council, with the approval of our Secretary of State for ' India in Council, may in due course determine. It is our earnest desire that these changes may conduce to the better administration of India and the greater prosperity and happiness of our beloved people. The applause which followed the speech was only dying away when the picturesque ceremonial of doing homage to the King-Emperor began. First of all came the Governor-General, who, ascended the (steps and made obeisance to their Majesties, the spectators cheering as his Excellency knelt at the King's feet and kissed his hand. Then followed the Command-er-in-Chief and the ordinary members of the Executive Council. More picturesque, by reason of their Oriental costumes, was the homage of the ruling Princes, who rule over one-third of all India. They passed before the King-Emperor and Queen-Empress in a splendid succession of princely lineage. The gathering was in itself a great object-lesson as to the value, power, generosity and wisdom of British rule, and if for comparison one sought some faint idea of the state from which that rule had rescued India, one might have discovered it in the chiefs that came in the train of the provincial Governors to do homage. There were rugged mountaineers from the untamed frontiers, and wild chieftains from the Aden hinterland, bringing with them a whiff of the Arabian desert.