The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-04-19
ONE QUEEN IN INDIA.
The Maharanee Of Kunigal and
Hor Mode Of Living.
Surrounded by Luxury and Beauty tho
Royal Prisoner Dreams Away
Her Days In Oriental
SpIendor.

beautiful woman. Her tall figure is
draped with airy and artistic effect.
The robe consists of much soft India
silk, deliberately embroidered, arranged
about her in mysterious grace, very
enigma of garment without the ex-
PLANTATION OF single stitch. 1t is close
ly plated ut the waist In front, falling
in fan-likc train. over tho feet, and
fastened with band of gold that is
studded with crescents of pearls This
garment is short in tho buck and is
brought over the shoulders, hanging
In soft, loose folds. Her left arm dis
plays bracelet of costly gems of rare
beauty and of profound historic in
tercst which carries one back to the
time of Cleopatra. 1t was found among
some other buried treasures more than
century ago, when the remote ances-
tors of the late king acquired it. This
bracelet is supposed to have the power
to resist the venom of all species of rep
tiles tiny linked chain connects it
to one of no less value at the wrist.
Jcwcled sandals grace her otherwise
unclad neither limbs, surmounted by
anlilets OF gold.
She will often express to her friends
the great pleasure it would afford her
to be able to go freely among her pco-
pie. This is, however, forbidden her
by the cXacting and severe law of her
caste, for, being Brahmin, she is
obliged to adhere strictly to the law
of inclosurc." This compcls her at the
age of twelve to be yelled and live in
seclusion for the remainder of her life.
This rigid deprivation of all enjoyment
of the world is necessarily severe
shock to the scnsibibility of even an
eastern queen. Never again does she
receive or converse with one of the op-
posite sex, save onlyh her husband, the
maharajah. Neither is domestic of
her household permitted to look upon
her, otherwise her caste would be
broken and her birthright cancelled
This law among high caste seems cruel
and inconsistent, but the penalty of
disobcdience is supreme. The violator
of law SO sacred among the sex as
that of Enclosure" has horrible des-
tiny awaiting her. She is expelled
from among her tribe in shame to be-
come an outcast, cXiled from within
the walls of the city for her crime.
But the present maharanec, SAYS a
foreign exchange, now in her twenty
fourth year, has six little brown faces
to cheer her solitude. Her apartments
large and luxurious, occupy one side
of the palace, opening one into an
other. Through long tapestried win
dows She steps into her private gar
dcns, where the air is perfumcd with
the delicious fragrance of flowers. The
little rustic bridges that greet the eve
occasionally through these grounds
connect the many beautiful terraces
beneath which flows q refreshing and
babbling brook, which, however, must
babblc no secrets. Rivulets and brooks
are treasures in India. They are few
and far between in this region of mag
niiicencc. Here the royal prisoner. for
SO she is, takes her daily exercise,
Joined occasionally by her children,
who come with the delightful antici-
patton of hearing some new fairy tales
from the lips of the beautiful mem
sahib-who happens to be rare story
teller-as She is seated in one of her
favorite arbors where the citron vines
envclop the happy little group, pic
turc only eastern.
When the maharanee wishes to leave
her apartments the command is given,
and in moment the turbaned at
PENDANTS that crowd the halls dis
appear as if by magic. The silence
that follows cndues the surroundings
with the air of Il sanctuary rather than
that of palace. Presently there
breaks upon the stiffness the faint
tlnkling of bell that announces the
royal presence, and the maharanee
comes forward, stately, & racious, kind
~, every inch a queen
When she drives into the country in
her state carriage-a relaxation which
she thoroughly enjoys, being true
lover of nature she must 90 closely
yelled. Rarely week passes without
n trip through the picturesque midtown
lying between Kunigal and Bangalorc.
Here the range of mountains to the
west with their majestic slylincs show
to the greatest advantage the play Of
light and shade at sunset.
In travelling, the maharanee occupies
private compartments, which are high
ly decorated and delicately furnished
III oriental style, arranged so that she
may with ease enjoy the view of the
hills and plains and yet not be seen,
accompanied by her ladies in waiting,
who share the same privilege. When
the destination is reached an awning
is Immediately erected which forms a
complete passage to the state carriage
that awaits her, SO that there is no pos
sible chance OF satisfying the curious
gaze of all castles who patiently look
for her arrival. She is always glad to
see European ladies" as she is pleased
to call all foreigners, no matter of
what nationality. She convcrses free
ly in several of the native languages,