White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1929-06-14
MAHARAJAS, BEGUMS
AND NIzAMS SECURE
Picturesque Indian Rulers
to Keep Jobs.

Washington.-The recent report of
the Indian states committee opposing
the federation of the Indian native
states and the British administration
In India, tends to perpetuate the pic
turesque rulers Of the hundreds OF lit
tie and big states in the giant penin-
sula of India.
According to bulletin from the
Washington ID. C.) headquarters of
the National Geographic society, these
rulers, although they have adopted
western dress and customs for many
occasions, still are among the most
/ colorful potentates Of the East.
Fortunes In Jewels.
"Consider the maharaja Of Patiala
in festive array If you would have
true picture of eastern splendor and
color" the bulletin continues. HE
wears diamond tiara from which
hang loops Of diamonds, pearls and
emeralds. Around his neck is three
row pearl collar and, on his breast,
an emerald breast plate. His coat is
Of rich brocade, and his hand rests
upon diamond-hilted sword sheathed
In velvet "'l,bard studded with dia-
monds. On fingers are diamonds.
rubies, emeralds and pearls.
"Patiala's maharaja is outshone by
other princes in the splendor Of their
| Jewels. One ruler has carpet Of
pearls, 8 by 10 feet. Maharaja Hol-
kar, Of Indore, has carpet of gold in
his throne room and tall gold chairs.
The gaekwar (prince) of Baroda's
treasure, includes gun carriages and
cannons of gold. White bulocks, with
silver capped horns and brocaded trap
pings, convey these cumbersome car
riages through the streets in official
parades.
"Until a few years ago the ruler of
Bhopal was a woman, the begun.
Bhopal is a Mohammedan state and
it's woman ruler made pilgrimages to
Mecca, and also visited England.
There she was protected from 'infideP
eyes by an enveloping cape which
gathered around her head, with lace
trimmed Sits for her eyes.
"Perhaps the most novel banquet
table in India is that of the maharajn
Of Indore. A miniature landscape Of
flowers and trees Illuminated by re-
volving colored balls adorns the table.
A tiny electric train runs around it's
edge on a small track. The train con-
tains seven coaches, one each for car
rying brandy, port, sweets, nuts choco.
lates, cigars and cigarettes. AT the
end of the meal, the maharaja starts
the train by pressing a button at his
place, and it stops automatically at
the slightest touch Of guest who
wishes to make his selection.
"The nizam of Hyderabad, the rank
ing Mohammedan prince of India and
probably its richest ruler, has the
largest harem in India. His house.
hold, including all retainers, numbers
1000. Hyderabad was once known as
Golconda, a famous market for dia
monds in ancient days, and the nj
zam's personal collection of jewels is
worth millions of dollars.
ColorfuI Courts.
"Although lacking in quality and
quantity of jewels, the retainers of
the rajahs, In their voluminous tur-
bans and richly colored coats, are al.
most as picturesque as their rulers.
Corps of nautch girls wear fortunes
In heavy gold ornaments, and are pic.
turesque in their brilliantly-hued skirts
and pastel-tinted saris. Even the ele-
plants of state take to color and jew.
elry. Their tusks are cut off and
bound with brass rings. In some
states they are provided with solid
gold ankle bands, and are tattooed
with shawl effect on their foreheads
and ears. One ruler has soid-gold
pavilion mounted on the back of his
favorite elephant, and others gild
these howdahs and hang them with
gorgeous trappings and tapestry cur.
tains.
'The maharaja of Udaipur has
some famous dancing horses. These
are pure-bred horses, caparisoned in
gold-covered brides and brocnde sud.
dies, which prance with careful steps
to the sing-song music Of their Indian
accompanies These dancing horses
are popular and may be found in the
stables of many of the Indian princes.
"Despite the enormous wealth OF
the princes and other potentates OF
India the masses of the people live IA
poverty. The average individual in
come OF India's 3OO.0OO.OOO people Is
estimated at less than the equivalent
of $25 annually. British rule has
brought two blessings to India. the
building of railroads which avert the
regional fanines which, in the past
dealt death to thousands, and protec.
ton Of her northwest border against
invasion by marauding tribesmen."
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