Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-02
Picturesque Ceremonies at His Installa-
ton as Ruler of that State

Jah OF kOlapur arrived at his majority
one day last April, and the great state
ceremonial, such as always attends
the entrance of a native monarch on
his reign, was observed for the first
TIME in almost a generation. The
realm had been administered since
the death of the late maharajah by
dlWan, or prime minister, anu now
Shahu Chatrapau was to take upon
himself the headship of the state. All
holapur, says Indian Notes, had put
on holiday dress to grace this occa-
sion. Two hundred mounted soldiers
mad been sent from Bombay, white
tents made a pretty sight in camp.
where the English guests We're enter
tanned. For three nights the streets
were illuminated, banners were fying.
lnnumerable tapers twinkled from the
English residency, the town hall and
the palace, outlining the buildings I'm
hght against the sky. By night and
day the streets were crowded with
people who had come miles and miles
from the outlying districts to witness
the festivities.
Nlthln the palace on Monday after
noon our western eyes were greeted
by a scene of oriental splendor. In
aglne the interior of a spacious build
/ ing newly decorated in white and gold,
mirrors at either end, flowers adorp-
ing walls and inches; overlooking the
main floor or Durbar hall, a lofty gal
Iery where the four ladies of our party
/ with Th0Sp n IN pI;
societies and Lady Harris, had excel
lent seats. Below were seated over
200 native chiefs in their richest re-
! CANA; robes of finest texture in white
or scarlet glittering with gems: tur-
bans in purple, white, scarlet. green or
/ pink, presented q brilliant array of
! color.
At the end Of a hall, upon a dais,
stood the elegant carved sofa of rich
! gold brocade which constituted the
Sadl, or throne. Behind it were stane
! ing, like statues, four chief servant,
! OF the king, in their long red GOWNS
secured at the waist by elaborate Civ.
dies, each holding his long gilt wand
| surmounted with feathers. At either
side of the gadi were two ancient
retalners Of the household bearing
heavy maces of gold.
| AS the hour of the installation an
proaches the crowd outside lining the
roadway become more excited. till
hnally shout from the people an
nounces the arrival of the royal enui-
| page Servants spread a bright Grim
son cloth for carpet from the steps
to the hall, and, preceded by the DO
! Htcal agents, the king entered. led by
! the hand of Lord Harris. governor of
the Bombay presidency. The dress of
an English courtier, including white
SILK stockings, silver buckles and white
knee-breeches with the gold-embroi-
dered coat, had all the charm of novel
ty to one fresh from democratic Amer
lea. I think it will amuse you to note
that his highneSs wore good English
leather boots. His robe was of scarlet
cloth bordered with gold braid: he
wore ponderous many-fOlded turban
| OF the same color, nearly square in
! shape. This heavy head-dress was
Ornamented with gold work, and at
one corner with a brooch of mammoth
pearls; it was secured by cord pass
| ing under his left ear Of course, YOU
know, no Hindu removes his turban
! indoors. About his neck were a dozen
rows of costly pearls, lower came
three of diamonds, While reaching to
his waist was a rope of gems Under
his arm he carried dhotar or scarf
of clOth-of-gold. The dhotar of com
mon cloth or muslin is used by ar
classes worn about the neck or shou
ders.
The ceremony consisted of a speech
in English by the governor, the trans
latiOn in Marathi by the state score
tary; response in good English by
the maharajah; an address by the
diWan relinquishing the administra-
ton of government, and then Lord
Harris led his highness to the long
vacant gadi, Id seating him there.
pronounced Shahu Chatrapati mahara-
jah of the state of Kolapur, while the
air of God Save the Queen pealed |
from the band, salute of 10 guns
was fired, and a glad cry went up
from 10000 threats.
Following the installation came pre- |
sentation Of gifts, a richly bejeweled |
sword with Damascus blade, costing !
5000 rupees, rare fabrics on gold |
trays. Then garlands of flowers were |
thrown about the neck of the rajah, !
one placed on each arm, and a bou- |
quet Of tuberoSes in his hand. Gar !
lands and drops of altar Of roses were !
lavished On all present, including our
gentlemen missionaries, and with the |
giving of pansupari, native decoction
Of betelnut, the assemblage broke up.
We ladies were pleased to be invited |
into the apartments of the ranis, or
queens, where, in a reception-room Of !
the palace. fitted up with the luxury
Of a Fifth-avenue mansion, we saw.
and the Marathi speaking women
talked with four genera tons Of queens
from the great-grandmother, not ap-
parently over so years, down to the
pretty. fair mother of the tiny baby
princess of two months in the arms of
its English nurse. All these women
had seen nothing of the festivities
save behind purdahs, which yelled
their beauty and hid their rare jewels
from the masculine gaze. Before we
left, the wife of the maharajah her
self sprinkled upon us precious odor
from a dainty gold vessel. She is
OrObahly 16 wears old and was mar