History Coronation Park, Delhi

1 history

1.1 first durbar
1.2 second durbar
1.3 third durbar
1.4 other uses

history

the delhi durbar of 1877. lord lytton, viceroy of india, seated on dais left.

delhi chosen site of park because city boasted great historical legacy such royal activities. site developed park , venue hold first durbar, or imperial pageant, in delhi under supervision of british raj. durbars invented tradition showcase prowess of british perpetuating tradition of previous hindu, muslim , mughal rulers. 3 durbars held british monarchy during period of forty years in park, located near created new delhi, south of shahjahanbad. 3 durbars held near ridge british won great victory during indian rebellion of 1857. in addition, location helped emphasise grandeur of british monarchy native rulers , people attended durbars.

the first durbar

first durbar, initiated lord lytton (1831–1891), viceroy of india, held on 1 january 1877 @ coronation park in delhi mark proclamation of queen victoria empress of india. lord lytton conceived procession in order represent british raj bringing “order , discipline, in (his) ideology part of whole system of colonial control”. durbar extravaganza of pomp , ceremony including parade on decorated elephant lord , lady lytton in presence of 70,000 people. imperial gathering consisted of royalty provinces of india , senior british dignitaries.

lord curzon , lady curzon arriving @ delhi durbar, 1903.


the second durbar

the second , third durbars held @ same location celebrate coronation of british monarchs. second durbar organised 1 january 1903 celebrate coronation of king edward vii. lord curzon, viceroy , chief architect of show, planned meticulously considered extravagant display of pomp , splendour.

lord curzon converted drab , dry land of park virtual tented city establishing huge encampments colourful tents. in city of tents there variety of infrastructure including water, drainage, sanitation, electricity , rail communications supplied venue different locations in nearby city. firework displays, exhibitions , glamorous dances organised. special postage stamps issued on occasion. post offices, telegraph , telephone communications provided. field marshal lord kitchener, commander-in-chief, india (c-in-c, india), organised daily parades, band practice , polo matches. élite of world media present, intended chief guest, king-emperor himself, did not attend celebrations held in honour. instead, britannic majesty represented brother, h.r.h. field marshal duke of connaught , strathearn.

the duke arrived bombay large contingent of dignitaries. festivities lasted fortnight , delhi durbar parade became standard feature of 20th century spectacle in india. viceroy , governors of various provinces , maharajas of princely states present, bringing large colourful entourages. event presided on duke of connaught , lord , lady curzon, viceroy , vicereine of india. said more 100,000 people attended durbar @ coronation park. extravagant spectacle dubbed curzonization durbar people suspected regarded occasion more celebration of own viceregality of ascension of new king.

the third durbar

the final durbar organised in 1911 @ same venue 2 previous ones. there no disappointment lord hardinge, viceroy @ time, when authorised plan event british government communication stated:

royal intention hold @ delhi on twelfth day of december 1 thousand 9 hundred , eleven imperial durbar purpose of making known said solemnity of our coronation , hereby charge , command our right trusted , beloved counsellor charles baron hardinge of penshurst, our viceroy , governor general of india, take necessary measures in behalf.

lord hardinge organised durbar great care , effort ensuring done utmost glitter , pomp since king-emperor, george v, attend. king george v first reigning monarch of united kingdom attend durbar. accompanied queen mary, queen consort. king-emperor made many historical proclamations paved way present edwin lutyens-designed new delhi built south west of shahjahanabad, last mughal city of delhi. king george v , queen sat on golden thrones under golden umbrella on 11 december 1911 when proclaimed capital of british india shifted calcutta delhi.

in 1911, fabulous sum of stg £600,000 approved durbar , maintenance of visiting local rulers. additional £300,000 supplied government of india pay eighty thousand army troops in parades , security event. imperial hotel in new delhi, considered legacy of colonial times, continues display pictures of durbar in coffee shop named 1911 .

after coronation durbar, edwin lutyens (sir edwin 1918) authorised lord hardinge proceed preparing plans building new delhi. shifting capital delhi in 1912, announced king in 1911, british attempted erase memory of mughal rule. also, return delhi emulated practice followed earlier pre-islamic , mughal rulers had established own cities in delhi, move meant increase british imperial image.

king george v s statue removed in 1960s canopy opposite india gate. relocated on plinth in coronation park, directly opposite obelisk

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other uses

the queen-empress, mary of teck, bestowed kaisar-i-hind medal upon governors of provinces during 1911 durbar @ coronation park. following announcements, queen laid foundation stone viceroy s residence. however, location later not found suitable building residency viceroy since area in flood prone zone of yamuna river. stone later shifted raisina hill. construction of viceroy s house (as officially called), present rashtrapati bhavan, started after world war , completed in 1931, when city of new delhi inaugurated.