Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-29
OPENING OF DURBAR
Lord Curzon's Gorgeous Entry
Into Delhi.
IMPOSING SPECTACLE
HUGE ELEPHANTS WEARING
GOLD AND SILVER ORNAMENTS.
The Native Princes Also Make a Fine
Showing Military Escort
q Feature.
IMPOSING SPECTACLE

DELHI, India, December 29.-The vice
roy, Lord Curzon of Kedleston, made his
state entry today into the capital Of the
moguls. This constituted the official open
ing Of the durbar held to celebrate the ac-
cession of King Edward as Emperor OF
India.
It was splendid pageant, probably un-
paralleled in its magnificence. At the head
Of the elphant procession rode Lord and
Lady Curzon on the state Grand Tusker,"
twelve feet high, the largest elephant in
India. Their howdah was decked with gold
and silver and the elephant itself was
almost hidden beneath a gold-worked sad
die cloth. Surrounding them were foot
men in scarlet and gold liveries and bear
ing massive silves slaves.
The Duke Of Connaught, who represented
King Edward, and the Duchess of Con-
na.ught followed. Their elephant was
equally gorgeously caparisoned. Then, in
order of precedence, came the Nizam Of
Hyderabad, the Maharajah of Travancore
and other ruling chiefs, seventy in ali,
their huge elephants forming a line quar-
ter of mile in length.
Escort Of Military.
This glittering procession started from
the railroad station preceded by dragoon
guards and artillery the viceroy's escort
and by heralds and trumpeters. The route
was entirely lined by British and native
troops. From the saluting battery, posted
at the fort commanding the Lahore gate,
guns thundered a royal salute as the vice
roy passed with the heralds and trumpe
ters sounding at intervals spirited fanfares.
The cortege passed in front of. line of
$50 elephants carrying the brilliantly dress
ed retainerS of the ruling chiefs
The colossal beasts all saluted by trum-
peting and throwing their trunks in the
air, presenting a truly imposing sight and
afterward fell in line behind the official
Huge crowds of onlookers wit
messed the spectacle. which, it is asserted.
has never been surpassed in magnificence
even In this country of oriental splendor.
The heralds pursuivants and trumpeters,
who followed the escort and Immediately
preceded the viceregal procession, were
by the splendor Of their attire
They were followed by the newly consti-
tuted imperial cadet corps, comprising thir-
ty maharajahs.
Great Excitement Apparent
The excitement was at a fever heat as
the first elephants, with gold and silver
howdahs, Of the staff officers, came in view
and commenced to circle around the
The finest elephants in Asia
passed in front of the great Jumma Musjid,
the steps Of which were thronged with dis
tinguished personages, including the vice.
roys American and British guests and the
delegates from the colonies and from other
parts Of the empire. The enormous ami
mails shuffled slowly by. many Of the mas
sive howdahs of quaint and rich design,
being surmounted by magnificent canopies
of gold-embroidered and bejeweled tapestry.
The bodies Of the animals were almost
hidden by their trappings Of crimson, purple
and gold Bands of gold encircled their
tusks golden bracelets were on their
ankles, gold and silver bells were hanging
from their neck chains, and their heads
were painted and decorated in every con-
ceivable color. The mahouts were clad in
the brightest attire, as were the attendant
spearmen, who marched by the elephants
sides
In the rear Of the procession rode Gen.
Lord Kitchener. the commander-in-chief in
India, surrounded by brilliant staff and
followed by the heads Of the provinces,
with escorts Of Indian cavalry and tribal
leaders from beyond the border lire.
The March Down the Main Street.
Down the main street moved the cortege,
through lines Of saluting soldiers and ex-
cited surging, salaaming throngs Of ma
tives; through the ancient city, with the
balconies and housetops teeming with life,
and through the Moree gate into the open
park beyond. There, after a four-mile
march, the elephants of the viceroy and the
Duke Of Connaught halted side by side, and
the pageant was concluded with the great
princes filing by, their elephants trumpet
ing salute.
The viceroy was In state uniform, Lady
Curzon was dressed in gray, the Duke Of
Connaught had a field marshars uni
form and the Duchess of Connaught was
attired in blue. They received flatterng
welcome at all points.
The viceroy and the Duke Of Connaught
drove to the main camp.
camel carriages, mule carts, landaus BIZ
cycles and bullock carts pressed onward
in strange confusion. There were many
and many hours elapsed before
the people were able to return to their
camps.