Opening of the new Albert Hall at Jeypore, India. Source: Illustrated London News (1888): 607. [Click on image to enlarge it.]
Commentary in the Illustrated London News
This noble edifice has been built for the Maharajah of Jeypore, entirely under the superintendence and from the designs of Colonel Swinton Jacob, R.A., having been the work of many years. It is of white marble, and the exterior and interior pillars, walls, and screens are enriched with carvings of marvellous beauty. It is worthy of note that every piece of carving is different and unique, and that for each carving a number of various designs were modelled of full size, so as to judge of the effect when completed, and the moat beautiful of them were then selected to be sculptured in the pure white marble by the intelligent native workmen. For years past a band of draughtsmen have been employed in making designs for this purpose from the carvings of must exquisite art which adorn tho famous architectural monuments of India, those of Delhi having yielded by far the richest store of examples. Many recent travellers in Rajpootana have admired these designs, which, now that the scaffoldings are down, atand revealed in all their beauty; also the white marble domes which crown the hall, giving it a peculiarly Oriental effect. The opening ceremonial took place when the Political Agent, Colonel Walton, went down in State from Mount Abu to invest the Maharajah with the insignia of the Grand Cross of the Star of India, and all the city of Jeypore wan en fête. A grand Durbar was held in the new Albert Hall; and next day there was a State dinner in the principal hall of the building, followed by an elaborate nautch [dance]. with the electric light, and by a grand display of fireworks in the pretty gardens in front of the building. The road from the Residency to the city, for a mile and a half, was illuminated by yellow Chinese lanterns, hanging from the tree, looking just like pendant golden fruits; while all the terraces and prominent parts of the Albert Hall were gaily ornamented with tulip-shaped illuminated paper lanterns. The whole was like a scene out of fairyland; and a lady visitor has sent us a photograph of the building.
Created 22 November 2015; link added 21 April 2016