El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-12-13
WILL FRIENDS
WELG0MEHER
IN INDIA?
First Hindu Woman of
Royalty to be Operated
On Defies Law of Caste.
CAN SHE STILL BE
RECEIVED AT HOME?

T ONDON, Eng, Dec. 15.-The first
Indian royal woman TO be
operated upon for appendicitis
is now on her way back to her home
and her friends here are awaiting with
curiosity and anxiety to know what her
reception will be. The religious and
caste laws Of India forbid such an act
as this operation-by men, and for
She is the maharanee Of IndOre, and
with her is her husband, the maharata
( Tuki Rao HOlkar, and their two chill
dren. The maharaja and his wife are
both IS years old and much in love
with each other. This monarch Of Il,
/ 600, 600 subjects chose to defy the ira
ditions of his people when the life OF
his cOnsOrt was in grave danger.
About a year ago her highneSs's
health gave cause for anxiety The
symptoms pointed to appendicitis. Even
in these progressive days IN India sur
gical operations on ladies Of high de-
gree are not looked upon with favor.
Old customs may be Overrtdden, but
they are not forgotten. The state OF
women in India-Hindu wOmen-under
the old regime was a curious mixture
of liberty and restriction.
A woman, especially a married Wom-
an. used to be hOnored and pampered,
yet was subject to curious domestic
manners and customs.
She was not only honored, but in
dulged also in every legitimate man
ner Her husband was enjoined to keep
her Constantly supplied with Orna-
ments apparel, and food, at festivals
and jubilees" On the other hand, a
husband was not allowed to eat with
his wife, nor look at her eating, or
yaWning, or sitting carelessly, or when
setting off her eyes with black powder.
Caste System Rigid
From these Observances grew a rigid
caste system which was violated by
contact with different or lower grade
people, foreigners and the like. 1t was
against the law even to go upon the
BLACK water" (the Indian ocean,.
Just a year ago the Maharanee left
India in the hope that European travel
and change of scene would afford re-
lief, and perhaps the grave symptoms
would pass away. So, accompanied by
her children and suite, she went on a
grand tour. Naples, Genoa, Milan, Lu-
! cerne, Zurich, st. MOritz, and other
places were visited. A long stay was
made in the south of France and a tour
of the italian lakes planned But that
plan had to be abandoned because her
highness became too Ill to undertake II.
So she came to England and took up
her residence at Broadstairs, when her
husband, the Maharaja, Joined her last
April and attended her with great as
sidufty and devotion Immediately on
his arrival his hiRhness called a con-
sultation of eminent surgeons; and
within four days Of that consultation
an operation for appendicitis was per-
formed
The operation was successful and
after awhile her highness became con-
vaIescent and was able TO accompany
her husband to Scotland, where he had
rented Alladale lodge, near Bonar
Bridge, for the grouse season
Keen Sportsman.
His highness is a very keen sports
man and a fine tennis player, having
won the tennis championship for cen
trail India. He enjoyed the shooting in
Scotland. his party accounting for "a
stays and over 500 brace Of grouse.
IndOre is one of the great Maharatta
ma tive states Of India, having treaty
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