Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-30
GRAND PAGEANT.
India Celebrates Accession Of
Emperor Edward.
Lord and Lady Curzon Heads Process
sion Of the Durbar.
Magnificent Demonstration Opened IN
Delhi, India, Yesterday.

Delhi, India, Dec. 29.-The viceroy
Lord Curzon of Kedleston, made its
state entry, Friday, into the capital OF
the Mogul This constituted the Of
fetal opening of the Durbar held 10
celebrate the accession of King Ed
ward as emperor of India.
1t was a splendid pageant, probably
unparalleled in its magnifcence. Al
the head O. the elephant procession
rode Lord and Lady Curzon on the
state grand tusker.' II feet high. the
largest elephant in India. Their how
dah was decked with gold and silver
and the elephant itself was almost hid
den beneath a gold worked saddle cloth.
Surrounding them were footmen in
scarlet and gold liveries and bearing
massive silver slaves. The Duke Of
Connaught, who represented King Ed
ward and the Duchess of COnnaught
followed. Their elephant was equally
gorgeously caparisoned. Then, in or
der of precedence, came the nizam of
Hyderabad. the maharajah of Ira
vancere and other ruling chiefs. 20 in
all. their elephants forming a line a
quarter of mile in length.
This glittering procession started
from the railroad station preceded by
dragon guards and artillery, the vice.
roys escort and by heralds and trum-
peters. The route was entirely lined
by British and native troops. From
the saluting battery, posted at the fort
commanding the Lahore gate. guns
Numbered out a royal salute as the
vicerov passed with the heralds and
tv.,,, -
spirited fanfares. The cortege passed
in front of a magnificent line of $50
elephants carrying the brilliantly
dressed retainers of the ruling chiefs.
The beasts all saluted by trumpeting
and throwing their trunks in the air,
an imposing sight. and afterwards fell
in line behind the official procession
as the cava'cade crossed the broad
road leading to the Jumma Musjid
mosque with it's white domes and gild-
ed minarets cleaning in the sunlight.
Huge crowds of onlookers witnessed
the spectacle, which, it is claimed has
never been surpassed in magnificence
even in this country of oriental splen-
dor. .u
The heralds. pursuivants and trum-
peters who followed the escort and
Immediately followed the vice regal
procession We're conspicuous by the
splendor of their attire. They were fol-
lowed by the newly constituted inn
perial cadet corps. comprising 80 ma
harajahs. headed by Sir Pertab Singh.
looking superb in their white coats,
blue turbans and decorations.
The excitement was at fever heat as
the first elephants. with gold and sill
YER howdahs of the staff officers came
IN view and, commenced to circle
around the mosque.
Inc hnest elephants in Asia passed in
front OF the great Jumma Musjid. the
steps of which were thronged with dis
tlnguished personages including the vice.
roys. American and British guests and
delegates from colonies and other parts
or the empire The big animals moved
SLOWLY by. many of the massive howdahs
OF quaint and rich design being sur
mounted by magnificent canopies of gold
embroidered and bejewelled tapestry. The
bodies Of the animals were almost bidder,
by their trappings of crimson. purple and
gold. Bands of gold encircled their tusks.
golden bracelets were on their ankles.
80" e'"" ShNSi anu Inelr hplGS
were painted and decorated in every con-
eeivable color The mahouts elephant
drivers) were clad in the brightest af-
tire. as were the attendant spearmen.
who marched by the elephants sides.
In the rear of the procession rode Gen
Lord Kitchener, the COMMANDMENT. chi.
in India. surrounded by a brilliant STAFF
and followed by the heads Of the pro-
vinces. with escorts Of Indian cavalry
and tribal leaders from beyond the border
line.
Down the main street moved the cor
tege. through lines of saluting soldiers
and excited. surging. saiaaming thronss
of natives. through the ancient city. with
the balconies and housetops teeming with
color. and through the Moree gate INTO
the oDen park beyond. There. after 4
four mile march, the elephants of the
viceroy and the Duke of Connaught halt
ed side by side and the pageant was con-
cluded with the great princes filing ~.
their elephants trumpeting a salute.
The viceroy was in state uniform ard
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