44-839: Edmond Henry Salt James , CIE , CBE was an administrator in British India . He twice acted as the Chief Commissioner of Baluchistan . This article about a British politician is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria on 1 January 1878. The Order includes members of three classes: Appointments terminated after 1947,
88-535: A cost of £1 million, all of which would fall on the central government of India and which, they advised, the Indian Finance Minister, James Grigg , was unwilling to support. Finally, in February 1938, the king had to be formally advised by Chamberlain to again postpone any visit "until the general world outlook has become more settled and the financial prospects [are] more definite". Eventually,
132-463: A cross; the Order of the Indian Empire does not, in deference to India's non-Christian tradition. Members of all classes of the order were assigned positions in the order of precedence. Wives of members of all classes also featured on the order of precedence, as did sons, daughters and daughters-in-law of knights grand commander and knights commander. (See order of precedence in England and Wales for
176-541: A depiction of the circlet (a circle bearing the motto) and the collar; the former is shown either outside or on top of the latter. Knights commander and companions were permitted to display the circlet, but not the collar, surrounding their arms. The badge is depicted suspended from the collar or circlet. The first two kings of Bhutan were presented with the KCIE: Other appointees include: Sir Kumarapuram Seshadri Iyer (1 June 1845 – 13 September 1901), who served as
220-457: A further proclamation regarding the Order was made; the Order was expanded from two classes to three – Knight Grand Commander, Knight Commander and Companion. Seven knights grand commander were created, namely: Also from 1897, 3 honorary knights commander were made. Including Léon Émile Clément-Thomas (1897), Col. Sir Eduardo Augusto Rodriques Galhardo (Jan 1901) and Sir Hussien Kuli Khan, Mokhber-ed-Dowlet (June 1902). Emperor Gojong of Korea
264-518: A great transformation for India. The durbar would later be seen as controversial because it directed funds away from the Great Famine of 1876–78 . The durbar was held to celebrate the succession of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra as Emperor and Empress of India. The two full weeks of festivities were devised in meticulous detail by Lord Curzon , Viceroy of India. It was a dazzling display of pomp, power, and split-second timing. Neither
308-672: A hundred of which were awarded to Indian princely rulers and the highest ranking government officers. Following the Durbar, the King and Queen left for ten days in Nepal , where the King was taken tiger hunting. After visiting Calcutta, they journeyed across India by train to Bombay, which they left on 10 January on RMS Medina . A feature film of the event titled With Our King and Queen Through India (1912) – also known as The Durbar in Delhi –
352-619: A much sought-after item for stamp collectors today. The event culminated in a grand coronation ball attended only by the highest-ranking guests, presided over by Lord Curzon and Lady Curzon in her jewels and peacock gown . On 22 March 1911, a royal proclamation announced that the Durbar would be held in December to commemorate the coronation in Britain a few months earlier of King George V and Queen Mary and allow their proclamation as Emperor and Empress of India. Every governor and all
396-424: A police force with specially designed uniforms, a hospital, a magistrate's court and complex sanitation, drainage, and electric light installations. Souvenir guidebooks were sold and maps of the camping ground distributed. Marketing opportunities were craftily exploited. A special Delhi Durbar Medal was struck, as part of the celebrations. Edward VII, to Curzon's disappointment, did not attend but sent his brother,
440-822: A velvet and miniver cap all weighing 34 ounces (965 g). Seated on thrones, they listened as the Delhi Herald Extraordinary , Brigadier-General William Peyton , read out the proclamation in English, followed by the Assistant Herald, Captain Malik Umar Hayat Khan , who read it in Urdu . They received homage from the native princes – including one woman, the Begum of Bhopal – at the shamiana (ceremonial tent); controversy ensued when
484-595: The British Indian Empire ; the senior one is The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India . The British founded the Order in 1878 to reward British and native officials who served in British India. The Order originally had only one class (Companion), but expanded to comprise two classes in 1887. The British authorities intended the Order of the Indian Empire as a less exclusive version of the Order of
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#1732772920372528-465: The Delhi Durbar , the limits were increased to 40 knights grand commander, 120 knights commander, and 40 nominations of companions in any successive year. British officials and soldiers were eligible for appointment, as were rulers of Indian Princely States . Generally, the rulers of the more important states were appointed knights grand commander of the Order of the Star of India, rather than of
572-562: The Duke of Connaught who arrived with a mass of dignitaries by train from Bombay just as Curzon and his government came in the other direction from Calcutta. The assembly awaiting them displayed possibly the greatest collection of jewels to be seen in one place. Each of the Indian princes was adorned with the most spectacular of his gems from the collections of centuries. Maharajahs came with great retinues from all over India, many of them meeting for
616-528: The Gaekwar of Baroda , Maharajah Sayajirao III , approached the royal couple without his jewellery on, and after a simple bow turned his back to them when leaving. His action was interpreted at the time as a sign of dissent to British rule. Afterwards, the royal couple ascended to the domed royal pavilion, where the King-Emperor announced the move of India's capital from Calcutta to Delhi. The annulment of
660-594: The Imperial Durbar , it was held three times, in 1877, 1903, and 1911, at the height of the British Empire . The 1911 Durbar was the only one that a sovereign, George V , attended. The term was derived from the common Persian term durbar . Called the "Proclamation Durbar ", the Durbar of 1877, for which the organisation was undertaken by Thomas Henry Thornton , was held beginning on 1 January 1877 to proclaim Queen Victoria as Empress of India by
704-562: The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha , which organization presaged the later rise of the Indian National Congress . Joshi's speech put forth a demand couched in very polite language: Her Majesty to grant to India the same political and social status as is enjoyed by her British subjects. With this demand, it can be said that the campaign for Indian Independence was formally launched, which was the beginning of
748-578: The death of George V in January 1936, his eldest son acceded as Edward VIII . In his first and only speech from the throne at the State Opening of Parliament in November 1936, he announced that he would attend a Durbar in Delhi during the winter following his coronation in 1937. When Edward abdicated in December 1936, it was initially envisaged that his brother George VI would continue with
792-483: The partition of Bengal was also announced during the ceremony. After the departure of the king and queen, the enthusiastic crowd surged into the arena. On the following day, 13 December, the royal couple made a Jharokha Darshan (balcony appearance) at the Red Fort , to receive half a million or more of the common people who had come to greet them, a custom which was started by Mughal emperors . On 14 December,
836-540: The 15th Diwan of Mysore from 1883 to 1901 was also awarded KCIE. Another C.I.E was John Malaise Graham, from the Royal Scots Greys for service. Received in 1947. Delhi Durbar The Delhi Durbar ( lit. " Court of Delhi ") was an Indian imperial-style mass assembly organized by the British at Coronation Park, Delhi , India , to mark the succession of an Emperor or Empress of India . Also known as
880-604: The British. The 1877 Durbar was largely an official event and not a popular occasion with mass participation like later durbars in 1903 and 1911. It was attended by the 1st Earl of Lytton — Viceroy of India , maharajas , nawabs and intellectuals. Inside the Victoria Memorial in Calcutta is an inscription taken from the Message of Queen Victoria presented at the 1877 Durbar to the people of India: We trust that
924-562: The Durbar as already planned, with the enthusiastic backing of the Secretary of State for India , Lord Zetland and the Viceroy, Lord Linlithgow . However, persuaded by the prime minister, Stanley Baldwin and his doctors, George decided that travelling to India in the aftermath of his coronation in May would place too great a strain on his health, and it was announced on 9 February 1937 that
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#1732772920372968-471: The Durbar had been postponed until "a later date". The reason given was that it was "impossible to contemplate a prolonged absence during the first year of his reign", so as not to give credence to rumours circulating about the king's physical and mental wellbeing. By August 1937, the situation in India had changed. The Government of India Act 1935 had set in motion modest moves towards Indian self government;
1012-424: The King rode an Australian charger and was dressed in military uniform with a plumed pith helmet , to the disappointment of the people in the crowd, who had been expecting him to be riding an elephant and wearing a crown. The Queen followed in an open carriage. The following days were taken up with receptions for the Indian princes, a church parade and the presentation of regimental colours . The Durbar itself
1056-572: The King-Emperor presided over a military review of 40,000 troops, culminating in a great cavalry charge. There followed an investiture in Delhi Park, the first was the Queen who received the Order of the Star of India . 26,800 Delhi Durbar Medals in silver were awarded to the men and officers of the British and Indian Armies who participated in the 1911 event. A further two hundred were struck in gold,
1100-471: The Order of the Indian Empire. Women, save the princely rulers, were ineligible for appointment to the order. Female princely rulers were admitted as "knights" rather than as "dames" or "ladies". Other Asian and Middle Eastern rulers were also appointed as well. Members of the order wore elaborate costumes on important ceremonial occasions: At less important occasions, simpler insignia were used: The insignia of most other British chivalric orders incorporate
1144-472: The Proclamation of the Queen as Empress of India was struck and distributed to the honoured guests, and the elderly Ramanath Tagore was raised to the status of an honorary Raja by Lord Lytton , viceroy of India. It was at this glittering durbar that Ganesh Vasudeo Joshi , wearing " homespun spotless white khadi " rose to read a citation on behalf of the grass roots native political organization,
1188-411: The Star of India (founded in 1861); consequently, many more appointments were made to the former than to the latter. On 15 February 1887, the Order of the Indian Empire formally became "The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire" and was divided into two classes: knights commander and companions, with the following as knights commander, listed up to 1906 (in date order) However, on 21 June 1887,
1232-534: The class of Knight Grand Commander (25 at any given time) was added; the composition of the other two classes remained the same. The statute also provided that it was "competent for Her Majesty, Her heirs and successors, at Her or their pleasure, to appoint any Princes of the Blood Royal, being descendants of His late Majesty King George the First, as Extra Knights Grand Commander". By Letters Patent of 2 Aug 1886,
1276-419: The earlier Delhi Durbar of 1877, nor the later Durbar held there in 1911, could match the pageantry of Lord Curzon's 1903 festivities. In a few short months at the end of 1902, a deserted plain was transformed into an elaborate tented city, complete with temporary light railway to bring crowds of spectators out from Delhi, a post office with its own stamps, telephone and telegraphic facilities, a variety of stores,
1320-543: The exact positions.) Knights grand commander used the post-nominal "GCIE", knights commander "KCIE", and companions "CIE." Knights grand commander and knights commander were entitled to the prefix "Sir". Wives of knights grand commander and knights commander could prefix "Lady" to their surnames. Such forms were not used by peers and Indian princes, except when the names of the former were written out in their fullest forms. Knights grand commander were also entitled to receive heraldic supporters, and could encircle their arms with
1364-406: The first class were titled "Knight Grand Commander" rather than "Knight Grand Cross" so as not to offend the non-Christian Indians appointed to the order. At the time of foundation in 1878 the order had only one class, that of Companion, with no quota imposed. In 1886, the Order was divided into the two classes of knights commander (50 at any given time) and companions (no quota). The following year
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1408-460: The first time while the massed ranks of the Indian armies, under their Commander-in-Chief Lord Kitchener , paraded, played their bands, and restrained the crowds of common people. On the first day, the Curzons entered the area of festivities, together with the maharajahs, riding on elephants, some with huge gold candelabra stuck on their tusks. The durbar ceremony itself fell on New Year's Day and
1452-452: The king's speech of October 1937, but under pressure from the king and against the advice of the viceroy, included the non-committal line; "I am looking forward with interest and pleasure to the time when it will be possible for Me to visit My Indian Empire". Linlithgow and Zetland then made a determined effort to dissuade the king from visiting India, even on a more modest scale, using the pretext of finance rather than Indian politics. Quoting
1496-447: The number of knights commander was increased to 82, while commanders were limited to 20 nominations per year (40 for 1903 only). Membership was expanded by letters patent of 10 June 1897, which permitted up to 32 knights grand commander. A special statute of 21 October 1902 permitted up to 92 knights commander, but continued to limit the number of nominations of commanders to 20 in any successive year. On 21 December 1911, in connection with
1540-525: The order. The fictional characters Purun Dass, invented by Rudyard Kipling , and Harry Paget Flashman , invented by George MacDonald Fraser , were KCIEs; Kipling's engineer Findlayson in The Day's Work (1908) aspires to the CIE. The British sovereign serves as Sovereign of the Order. The grand master held the next-most senior rank; the position was held, ex officio , by the viceroy of India . Members of
1584-445: The present occasion may tend to unite in bonds of close affection ourselves and our subjects; that from the highest to the humblest, all may feel that under our rule the great principles of liberty, equity, and justice are secured to them; and to promote their happiness, to add to their prosperity, and advance their welfare, are the ever present aims and objects of our Empire. The Empress of India Medal to commemorate
1628-501: The pro-independence Indian National Congress had dominated the 1937 Indian provincial elections in seven out of eleven provinces, and had made it clear that they would not only boycott the Durbar but refuse to vote the funds to pay for it. Linlithgow wrote to Zetland in August saying that the king ought to be warned of "unpleasantness" if he visited India. Zetland took up the matter with the new prime minister, Neville Chamberlain , while
1672-542: The rulers of princely states in India were summoned to pay obeisance. The King and Queen left Portsmouth on 11 November aboard RMS Medina , a new P&O ocean liner , arriving in Delhi on 7 December in a grand State Entry through the city gates in which 50,000 troops participated, led by Lord Kitchener , the Commander-in-Chief, India . Escorted by a guard of the Household Cavalry ,
1716-534: The viceroy sought the opinion of the provincial governors , who were all against the idea. Meanwhile, Jawaharlal Nehru , the leader of the Congress party, told the Indian press that if the British Government wanted to protect the king from any sort of "untoward incident", then they ought to "keep him in England". Chamberlain was persuaded and initially omitted any mention of royal visit to India from
1760-580: The year that British India became the independent Union of India and Dominion of Pakistan . With the death of the last surviving knight, the Maharaja Meghrajji III of Dhrangadhra , the order became dormant in 2010. The motto of the Order is Imperatricis auspiciis , ( Latin for "Under the auspices of the Empress"), a reference to Queen Victoria, the first Empress of India . The Order is the junior British order of chivalry associated with
1804-634: Was filmed in the early color process Kinemacolor and released on 2 February 1912. Generally the Durbar achieved its purpose of cementing support for British rule among the native princes, as was demonstrated by the support given during the First World War. Today, the Coronation Park in Delhi is sometimes used for big religious festivals and municipal conventions. The thrones used by King George V and Queen Mary are on display at Marble Hall Gallery and Museum at Rashtrapati Bhavan . On
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1848-503: Was followed by days of polo and other sports, dinners, balls, military reviews, bands, and exhibitions. The world's press dispatched their best journalists, artists and photographers to cover proceedings. The popularity of movie footage of the event, shown in makeshift cinemas throughout India, is often credited with having launched the country's early film industry . The India Post issued a set of two commemorative souvenir sheets with special cancellation struck on 1 January 1903 – 12 noon,
1892-521: Was made an honorary Knight Grand Commander on 17 December 1900. Appointments to both the Order of the Star of India and the Order of the Indian Empire ceased after 14 August 1947. As the last Grand Master of the orders, the Earl Mountbatten of Burma was also the last known individual to have publicly worn the stars of a Knight Grand Commander of both orders, during the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977. There are no living members of
1936-503: Was on Tuesday, 12 December, at Coronation Park , on which a semi-circular grandstand had been built for 10,000 government officials and other dignitaries, while further back an artificial mound seated 50,000 local people. The royal couple arrived in their Coronation robes, the King-Emperor wearing the Imperial Crown of India with eight arches, containing 6,100 diamonds , and covered with sapphires , emeralds and rubies , with
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