The Delhi Durbar
Arrival of Their Imperial Majesties at Selimgarh Station
Received by Lord and Lady Their Excellencies the Governor-General Hardinge. Delhi, December 7th, 1911
THE Selimgarh bastion, at which a special station for the reception of Their Imperial Majesties was built, is a completely detached portion of Delhi Fort, to the North, and was built by Jehanger, father of the more famous builder of the Fort itself. From this point Their Imperial Majesties entered Delhi.
Synopsis
1. Preparations for the Arrival
of Their Majesties. Principal officials in readiness to receive the King and Queen. The most conspicuous figures are the Governor-General and Lady Hardinge, the Commander-in-Chief and Lady Creagh and the Governors of Bombay and Madras. The Governor and Chief Commissioners of various provinces are also in attendance, and Sir John Hewitt, the master and organiser of the Durbar may be noticed.
2. The Walls of the Fort
were manned by Mutiny veterans. A handful were given places of honour at Selimgarh. As the train drew up, the National Anthem was played and a salute of 101 guns was fired.
3. Sir John Hewitt,
Sir Henry MacMahon, the Chief Justice of Bengal, and the Maharana of Udaipur presented to Their Majesties.
4. The King-Emperor
inspects the Guard of Honour of the Berkshire Regiment. His Majesty is wearing the full uniform of a Field-Marshal, with the light blue riband of the Order of the Star of India. The Empress is in a gown of soft white satin with a hand-worked floral design; she has a white hat with shaded blue feathers.
5, The Queen-Empress
is seen walking with Lady Hardinge in the direction of the reception tent.
No. 500 Code "Cepheum" 270 feet
Arrival at the Reception Tent, Delhi Fort
December 7th, 1911
THE reception tent, to which Their Majesties are now proceeding, was erected in place of the Bawalpur Shamiana burnt down a few days before the Durbar. It was constructed of canvas borrowed from the various chiefs, and so was even more strikingly handsome in appearance than the one it replaced.
Synopsis
1. Arrival of the Governor General
The King's Charger being rubbed down previous to taking its share in the State Entry.
2. His Majesty Inspects
the Indian Guard of Honour.
3. Forming Up for the State Entry
The distance to the Elephant Gate is about three-fourths of a mile. The chiefs and their retainers are inside the Fort and they will presently emerge with their retinues.
4. The Troops on the Move
No. 501 Code "Cephisio" 390 feet
N.B. - It is suggested that the foregoing Three Subjects be exhibited as One Subject, as together they form a complete record of one event.
The State Entry into Delhi
December 7th, 1911
FROM break of dawn on December 7th, the pleasant bustle of preparation was heard in Delhi, as regiments of horse and regiments of foot - Briton and Gurkha, Sikh and Pathan - mustered in their thousands and tens of thousands, until from the Delhi Gate of the Fort to the far end of the ridge, where it dipped to meet the Royal camp, stretched in serried ranks a double line of armed men. The great procession emerged from the Elephant Gate (so called because of the great elephants in black marble that are placed on either side of it) and for three hours it was as though a tempestuous flood of color and magnificence was issuing from the Fort. The Elephant Gate on that day was a veritable gate of surprises-each troop as it emerged seemed more magnificent than the last. This Gate is only used by Emperors, Chiefs and other distinguished personages. On ordinary occasions the Lahore Gate is used.
Two KINEMACOLOR cameras were employed in recording this procession, one taking the close views which show in perfect detail the gorgeous equipages of the ruling chiefs, their gold and silver decorated carriages and splendidly uniformed retainers. Perhaps the most abiding memory the visitor to India for the Durbar carried away was that of the cavernous gateway guarded by two colossal black marble elephants. A broad, smooth road lined by men in scarlet curved towards it, and out of it came an endless stream of native rulers and their household troops. There were five miles of them. They reclined grandly in their fantastic carriages, with dark little imps in flaring turbans perched behind to wave away the flies and round them clattered incredible horsemen with chased harness and scimitars. In the carriage of each potentate, in the five blazing miles of them, sat the resident British Commissioner, sombre and odd in his black suit, as a constable who had strayed into the "Arabian Nights."
Synopsis - Part I
1. Procession of High Officials
In the van is a procession of high officials, comprising: A Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Punjab, the Chief Commissioner of the Central Provinces, the Lieut.-Governor of the United Provinees, the Lieut.-Governor of Eastern Bengal and Assam, the Lieut.-Governor of Burma, the Lieut.-Governor of Bengal, and the Lieut.-Governor of the Punjah with their several escorts, and the Governors of Madras and Bombay with their staffs and bodyguards.
2. The Royal Procession
is next seen. The King on a magnificent black charger is riding in the centre of a group of horsemen, among whom Lord Hardinge, the Governor-General, the Marquis of Crewe (Secretary of State for India:) and Sir O'Moore Creagh, Commander-in-Chief of India, are conspicuous figures. The King-Emperor's staff and household includes H.H. Prince George of Battenberg, Brigadier-General R. E. Grimston, Lieut.-General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, Sir Henry McMahon, the Lord Annaly, the Lord Stamfordham, His Highness the Maharaja of Bikaner, His Highness the Maharaja of Gwalior, the Commander-in-Chief, H.H. the Duke of Teck, the Marquis of Crewe, H.E. the Governor-General. The Queen-Empress follows in a carriage attended by the Duchess of Devonshire and the Earl of Durham.
3. Carriages Following Contained:
Second Carriage - Her Excellency Lady Hardinge with the Earl of Shaftesbury and A.D.C. in waiting.
Third Carriage - The Countess of Shaftesbury, the Hon. Venetia Baring, Mr. J. H. Du Boulay.
Fourth Carriage - Mr. F. H, Lucas, Sir James Dunlop-Smith, Rear-Admiral Sir Colin Keppel.
Fifth Carriage - Lieut.-Colonel Bird, the Hon. J. Fortescue, Sir R. Havelock Charles, Indian Cavalry Regiment, of the Escort.
No. 502a Code 11 “Cephissi A" 1,270 feet
Part II
4. The Procession of Ruling Chiefs
From this point onwards the State Entry was a feast of gorgeous color and magnificence. We see magnificent war horses superbly draped; wonderful state carriages of gold and silver, and palanquins and litters of immense value. Here are Rulers and Chiefs from every quarter of the Indian Empire, including the Maharajahs of Mysore, Kashmir and Jhaipur, and many others; all with their Political Officers and Escorts.
No. 502b Code "Cephissi B" 1,245 feet
Part III
5. Famous Figures
In this reel we see the Begum of Bhopal in her lacework Rubandar; and later on the Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, more familiarly known as Prince Ranjitsinjhi, the famous cricketer, in his solid silver carriage with the crocodile bar underneath; Patiala, another cricketer, in a similar carriage; and finally the camels of Bikaner and Bawalpur, and the quaint and barbaric retinue of the Maharajah of Sumpthar; the whole scene epitomising the gorgeous wealth and lavish extravagance of the East.
No. 502c Code "Cephissi C." 1,285 feet
STATE ENTRY
N.B. - The State Entry into Delhi (entire length 3,800 feet comprising the three reels above specified Nos. 502 a, b and c) may be obtained in separate parts under the numbers and codes ind'icated, or as a whole by quoting
No. 502 Code "Cephissi" Total (3 reels) 3,800 feet
The Royal Procession passing from the Ridge to the King's Camp
Delhi, December 7th, 1911
IN this film the Royal procession and its immediate escort are seen again passing between two covered ways from the top, of which the picture was taken. This temporary structure was erected to shelter Their Imperial Majesties while they were presented with an address by the Municipality of Delhi. A pretty effect is observed as the coretege issues from beneath a bower of trees at this point, and incidentally a, splendid panorama of the nearest sections of the Camp is obtained.
No. 503 Code "Cephren" 225 feet
King Edward Memorial Ceremony
Delhi, December 8th, 1911
ONE of His Majesty's first acts on arrival at Delhi was to place in position the tablet upon a memorial in course of construction there to His late Majesty King Edward VII. The form of the memorial is that of a bronze equestrian statue of heroic size, and it is situated on the Maidan, near the Delhi gate of the Fort. The pedestal and platforms are of red Agra sandstone, and the designer of the memorial is Sir Thomas Brock, the designer of the Queen Victoria Memorial opposite Buckingham Palace, London. The fund for the undertaking was inaugurated by the Earl of Minto, and contributions were received from both rich and poor throughout India.
Synopsis
1. Building the Foundation of the Memorial
The workmen are here seen at work on the red sandstone base. The marble
tablet being conveyed to the site by bullock teams.
2. The Arrival of Their Majesties
The King and Queen drove to the ceremony in an open carriage, attended by their
English and Indian suites. They were received by the Governor-General, who presented the members of the Executive Committee of the Memorial.
3. The Procession to the Shamiana
at the base of the Memorial. His Imperial Majesty ascending the steps at the Memorial base, accompanied by Lord Hardinge.
4. The King Places the Tablet
in position. At the conclusion of the simple but effective ritual the massed bands
present played the National Anthem and a salute of 101 guns was fired from the
Fort. Panorama of the scene after the ceremony, showing the departure of Their Majesties.
5. A View of Delhi Fort
is seen in the background, partially shrouded in the morning mist, which is of
frequent occurence in this part of India.
6. The Mallet Used by the King
in placing the tablet in position is held up to the KINEMACOLOR camera. The mallet is of black ivory and is in a satin-lined case. A silver replica of the equestrian statue as it will be when completed, may be noted on the left.
7. As the Royal Party
and the native princes in attendance leave the scene, many examples of gorgeous
costumes are to be seen, and decorations and handsome robes are vividly reproduced in every detail and color.
No. 504 Code "Cepicium" 700 feet
Presentation of Colors
December 11th, 1911
ON the day before the Coronation Durbar there was a picturesque scene on the polo ground when the King presented colors to seven British and three Indian regiments. The British regiments receiving colors were the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers, the 1st Durham Light Infantry, the 2nd Royal Highlanders, the 1st Seaforths, the 2nd Gordons, the 1st Highland Light Infantry and the 1st Connaught Light Rangers; the Indian regiments: the 18th Infantry, the 90th Punjabis and the 102nd Grenadiers. During the proceedings three Services were held: one Church of England, one Presbyterian and one Roman Catholic.
Synopsis
1. A View of the Scene
taken from the top of the Royal Pavilion and showing the unfurling of the Royal Standard, signalling the arrival of the King and Queen.
2. His Imperial Majesty Mounted
on his fine charger, "Delhi," the escort being furnished by the 13th Hussars and
the 36th Jacob's Horse.
3. The Governor General's Escort
was furnished by the 1st King's Dragoon Guards and the 11th Lancers, and the
Guards of Honour on the field consisted of the 4th Battalion Worcestershire
Regiment and the 23rd Sikhs Pioneers.
4. Her Imperial Majesty
the Queen descends from her carriage and advances to the Royal Pavilion amid
much cheering and the greetings of her subjects.
5. The Dedication Services
6. The Troops Giving Three Cheers
for the King after the ceremony. They wave their helmets aloft on the muzzles of their rifles - a splendid and inspiring scene.
7. His Majesty Leaves the Field
Departure of the Royal party and the troops.
No. 505 Code "Cepillar" 730 feet
The Delhi Polo Tournament
December 7th to 11th, 1911
TAKING part in polo, or watching the games, was one of the principal and most fashionable diversions of those attending the Durbar. Matches were held from November 27th to December ?nth, but the films shows incidents during the finals between December 7th and 11nth. The victors were the Inniskillings. The following teams took part: the 10th Hussars, the 17th Lancers, the Inniskillings, the King's Dragoon Guards, the 17th Cavalry, the Scouts, the Imperial Cadet Corps, the Governor-General's Staff, the 13th Hussars, the 9th Hodson's Horse and the Golkonda, Kishangarh, Palanpur and Bhopal Regiments. Splendid views are given of some of the matches and several scores are shown. A final section shows the polo ponies being rubbed down after their tremendous exertions.
To secure connected views of a game played over such a large area is by no means easy, but the KINEMACOLOR staff have succeeded admirably and a most attractive sporting subject is the result.
No. 506 Code "Cepina" 260 feet