Delhi Durbar 1903 (1 Viewer)

[DMNamiot]

Hi Andanna,

Thats an interesting point about the Kingdom of Sikkim. They have had a very turbulant history with several fights with Nepal over territory. They are an interesting Indian State I would really like to see it some day I imagine the Mountains are stunning.

From what I have read I believe the province of Darjeeling was part of their country and was given to the East India Company as part of a treaty. I imagine the Company was quite pleased to secure the rights to all the tea grown there.

Also good eye on the size difference of the Elephant Riders I think the photo does clearly show a young child in the seat of honor. I also believe that the book we discussed last month has a photo of him. I will have to look an see.

All the best

Dave

 

[Ana Donzino]

Andreas,

Maharajkumar Sidkeong Tulku Namgyal [Srid-skyong Sprul-sku rNam-gyal] became Maharaja Sidkeong Tulku Namgyal, Maharaja of Sikkim, in 1911. It is true that he attended the Durbar representing his father, but he wasn't a child. He was 24 years old then (he was born in 1879).

Here is the photo that we used as a source for our elephant, that shows that clearly.

I'm so happy that you all enjoy Delhi Durbar 1903 so much. I'm in love with it

Ana

 

[Andanna]

Thank you so much, Ana, for your response. This is very helpful.

And Happy New Year to the whole Beau Geste Team with a special greeting to Lucila for painting my elephants.

 

[Andanna]

For your pleasure, an eye witness report from the Delhi Durbar by the New York Times of January 5, 1903 titled:

DELHI DURBAR PROCESSION AS SEEN BY AMERICAN WOMAN; East Indian City a Blaze of Color and Every Available Point of Vantage Occupied by Interested Spectators -- Lord Kitchener a Central Figure of Brilliant Pageant.

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9502E1D61130E733A2575BC0A9659C946297D6CF

 

[1879fanatic]

For your pleasure, an eye witness report from the Delhi Durbar by the New York Times of January 5, 1903 titled:

DELHI DURBAR PROCESSION AS SEEN BY AMERICAN WOMAN; East Indian City a Blaze of Color and Every Available Point of Vantage Occupied by Interested Spectators -- Lord Kitchener a Central Figure of Brilliant Pageant.

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9502E1D61130E733A2575BC0A9659C946297D6CF

Andanna,
Thanks for the link! It gives a new perspective of the event for me. How about that spoiled baby elephant!
Mike

 

[wadepat]

Hi Andanna,

Thank you for the great link! Reading a first hand account helps bring the event to life. The author was obviously very, very impressed with the event and she communicates her enthusiasm very effectively. I intend to keep this article in my Durbar files.

Thanks a million for all the research you are doing. It is very helpful to me.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Andanna]

The British Film Company British Pathe is offering its inventory for download on its website. One of the films covers the Delhi Durbar 1911 - unfortunately with few elephants, but a lot of ceremony and pomp. The film is called "The Great Coronation Durbar - Delhi" and available in a preview form for download for free.

Enjoy. It is fun. Even with few elephants.

https://www.britishpathe.com/aboutpathe.html

 

[Ana Donzino]

Andreas,

The film 'The Great Coronation Durbar- Delhi' is actually from the 1903 Delhi Durbar. There weren't any elephants at the 1911 one. The full movie shows different sections of the parade when passing in front of the Town Hall. There can also be seen images of the military review held on January 6, and the opening of the arts exhibition.

The British Library has 5 films taken during the Delhi Durbar, and all can be seen for free with a previous appointment, if you have your readers pass. I will never forget the feeling of watching the elephants go by

Ana

 

[Andanna]

Thank you, Ana, for the correction.

I think what put me on the wrong track is the description of the film on the website of British Pathe, which reads "King George V and Queen Mary for massive celebration of the Royal Coronation." which would strongly indicate the film showing the 1911 Durbar, as the 1903 Durbar only covered the enthronement of Edward VII.

The description of the film further reads:

"Unused / unissued material - location and dates unclear or unknown.

Full title reads: "The Great Coronation Durbar - Delhi".

Delhi, India.

Pan across huge dais in the midst of a massive arena. Thousands of troops form up and hundreds of civil and military dignitaries arrive.

King George V and Queen Mary arrive and take the place on the dais where they receive homage from representatives of the civil and military administration as well as from Indian Princes.

Intertitle reads: "HH The Gaekwar of Baroda".

Man approaches throne and bows. More Indian and Imperial leaders pay homage.

Intertitle reads: "The Ruling Chiefs Paying Homage".
Intertitle reads: "HH The Nizam of Hyderabad". His Highness approaches the Throne.
Intertitle reads: "HH The Gaekwar of Baroda". His Highness approaches the throne. More officials pay homage. Troops form up in arena.

Intertitle reads: "long live the Emperor & Empress".

The Durbar concludes with a salute being fired after which the Royal Party leave with much pomp.

Cataloguer's Note: This version of the Durbar is quite confused and features some repeated shots - MD."

http://www.britishpathe.com/product_display.php?searchword=delhi+durbar

 

[Andanna]

... and while we are on the subject of movies: Is this another cinematic highlight I am missing?

Name of the film: Delhi Durbar
Direction: Chandrakant (1956)
Production: Gandhi & Choksi
Music: S.N. Tripathi
Artiste 1: Sumitra Devi
Artiste 2: Rehana
Artiste 3: Veena
Category : Costume
Language: Hindi

http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/indiancinema/?browse=language&start=SilentFilms

 

[Andanna]

... and after all this tiring research, time for a nap (perhaps, Ana, we need a Delhi Durbar sub-category - "Delhi Durbar Lite" with figures like this and sleeping soldiers, eating and praying Sikhs etc.):

 

[thebritfarmer]

... and after all this tiring research, time for a nap (perhaps, Ana, we need a Delhi Durbar sub-category - "Delhi Durbar Lite" with figures like this and sleeping soldiers, eating and praying Sikhs etc.):

Great suggestion or perhaps "Preparing for the Durbar" showing elephants, soldiers etc....getting ready for the Durbar.

 

[Andanna]

Ana,

I think their are two "films" with the same title. The one inventoried at the BFI, which is properly edited and has been published, and the British Pathe one, which is not really a "film", but rather a rough compilation of film snippets. This might be the cause of the confusion.

Andreas,

The film 'The Great Coronation Durbar- Delhi' is actually from the 1903 Delhi Durbar. There weren't any elephants at the 1911 one. The full movie shows different sections of the parade when passing in front of the Town Hall. There can also be seen images of the military review held on January 6, and the opening of the arts exhibition.

The British Library has 5 films taken during the Delhi Durbar, and all can be seen for free with a previous appointment, if you have your readers pass. I will never forget the feeling of watching the elephants go by

Ana

 

[Ana Donzino]

I agree, Andreas

Ana

 

[Andanna]

Summarizing, this leaves us with the following films of the Delhi Durbar 1903, all at the British Film Institute and all unfortunately not commercially available on video, DVD, BD or VCD:

DELHI DURBAR:
The STATE ENTRY INTO DELHI OF LORD CURZON, THE VICEROY, ACCOMPANIED BY THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CONNAUGHT, Warwick Trading Co, Great Britain, 1903

The DELHI DURBAR, Paul's Animatograph Works, Great Britain, 1903

DELHI DURBAR (PROCESSION ENTERING STATE DURBAR AT DELHI), Gaumont Company, Great Britain, 1903

CORONATION DURBAR AT DELHI, Paul's Animatograph Works, Great Britain, 1903

DELHI DURBAR COMPILATION, 1903.

 

[Andanna]

The first spectators have arrived, motivated through the display of the elephants, the shade of the palms and "Freibier" *):

*) Probably an illegal concept in India except for the state of Goa which was not British, but Portugese.

 

[Andanna]

My favorite at the moment:

 

[thebritfarmer]

I would have to agree with you Andanna, I also like your new spectators, very nice.

 

[Andanna]

Slightly lost was the following announcement from Ana:

"Next to come: escort parties for 2 Delhi Durbar elephants, Indore and Patiala. "

I am very much looking forward to these additions, but I am afraid they will need to wait until I have the elephants.

 

[damian]

Summarizing, this leaves us with the following films of the Delhi Durbar 1903, all at the British Film Institute and all unfortunately not commercially available on video, DVD, BD or VCD:

DELHI DURBAR:
The STATE ENTRY INTO DELHI OF LORD CURZON, THE VICEROY, ACCOMPANIED BY THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CONNAUGHT, Warwick Trading Co, Great Britain, 1903

The DELHI DURBAR, Paul's Animatograph Works, Great Britain, 1903

DELHI DURBAR (PROCESSION ENTERING STATE DURBAR AT DELHI), Gaumont Company, Great Britain, 1903

CORONATION DURBAR AT DELHI, Paul's Animatograph Works, Great Britain, 1903

DELHI DURBAR COMPILATION, 1903.

I posted this elsewhere but feel that I should pose the same question here. How popular is the Durbar in the collecting militaria world. In teh bibliophile world it would seem that a really good copy of theMenpes book can be had for less than 200 USD. That is quite reasonable. Norris Newmans "WIth The British in Zululand" retails at about 450 USD. It seems that campaigns and events wax and wane in the popualr imagination. At present The Zulu War is top dog. All militaria, original books and toy soldiers demand top dollar. The Durbar I feel is underapreciated but I get the sense that there is a great bubbling under. All it takes is for some-one to reprint the Menpes books or run a good documentry on it and it will catch on like wild fire.