The Imperial Assembly at Delhi: Lord Lytton, Viceroy of India, passing the Flagstaff Tower. Artist: Lieutenant C. Pulley, of the 3rd Ghoorkahs. Source: Internet Archive web version of The Illustrated London News (27 January 1877): 89. Click on image to enlarge it.
“The Viceroy’s elephant howdah, manufactured by Messrs. Hamilton and Co., of Calcutta, was a magnificent object. It was adorned with gold, silver, and purple velvet, and displayed the insignia of Royalty. In front stood tho figures of Britannia and Minerva, each holding a spear; the former also bearing a cornucopia, the latter with an owl on her helmet. The four feet of the howdah, in carved silver, were formed to represent four animals, the British Lion and Bengal Tiger, eouchant, the Unicom, and the Dragon. The Imperial Crown, in purple velvet and gold, was placed between Minerva and Britannia; below it was the gold Star of India, with St. George and the Dragon. The Royal Arms, in gold on a silver ground, shone on tho panels, and the rose, shamrock, and thistle were among the other decorations. Lord Lytton, sitting in this howdah on his way to the Durbar, was sheltered from the sun by a gorgeous umbrella and fanned with peacock-feathers.”
Related material about the Imperial Assembly at Delhi
- The Imperial Durbar at Delhi: the Jumna Musjid
- The Imperial Heralds
- The Chief Herald Reading the Proclamation
- The Nizam of Hyderbar presenting his “Nuzzur”
- Coronation Park and the Durbar Memorial
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Last modified 19 May 2017