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Home / IAS Preparation / Delhi Durbar 1911

Delhi Durbar 1911: History, Timeline, and Delhi Durbar Painting

Last Updated on Jul 07, 2023
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The Delhi Durbar of 1911 was a coronation ceremony held at the Coronation Park in Delhi, India, on December 12, 1911. The ceremony was held to mark the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary as Emperor and Empress of India. The first Delhi Durbar was held on January 1, 1877, at the Red Fort in Delhi. 

The event was a grand affair, attended by dignitaries and rulers from India and other parts of the British Empire. The ceremony included a procession where the newly crowned King and Queen rode on elephants. It was followed by a series of banquets and celebrations.

Candidates can learn about the "Delhi Durbar 1911" topic, its history, significance, and other details in this article. This topic forms a significant part of the UPSC IAS exam, and questions related to this are seen in Mains Paper I in the Indian History of the above-said examination. Testbook provides comprehensive notes for UPSC CSE COACHING, including different competitive examinations.

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Historical Background of Delhi Durbar

The Delhi Durbar was a series of grand events that took place in Delhi, India, to mark the coronation of British monarchs as Emperors or Empress of India. The first Delhi Durbar was held in 1877, and subsequent Durbars were held in 1903 and 1911.

The idea of the Delhi Durbar was first proposed by Lord Lytton, the then Viceroy of India, in 1876. The purpose of the Durbar was to celebrate the proclamation of Queen Victoria as Empress of India, which had taken place earlier that year. The Durbar was also an opportunity for the British to showcase their power and authority over India, and to impress the local rulers and dignitaries with their military might and cultural superiority.

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Paintings of Delhi Durbar

The Delhi Durbar of 1911 was a significant event and was documented in many ways, including through paintings. Several artists captured the grandeur and pageantry of the event in their pictures.

  • One of the most famous paintings of the Delhi Durbar is by British artist Mortimer Menpes. His painting, titled "The Delhi Durbar - The State Entry into the Arena."
    •  It depicts the procession of King George V and Queen Mary as they enter the arena on elephants. 
    • The painting is rich in detail, showing the intricate costumes of the royal couple. It also shows the ornate decorations and structures surrounding them.
  • Another notable painting of the Delhi Durbar is by Indian artist Raja Ravi Varma. His painting, titled "The Delhi Durbar of 1903," 
    • It depicts a scene from an earlier Durbar held in 1903. 
    • The photograph shows a group of Indian princes paying homage to the British monarch. It is notable for its intricate detail and use of bright, vivid colors.
  • Other artists who created paintings of the Delhi Durbar include Edwin Lord Weeks, Charles Dixon, and William Orpen. 
    • These paintings offer a glimpse into the grandeur and spectacle of the event. It also shows how it was interpreted and remembered by different artists.

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Delhi Durbar Timeline

Here is a timeline of the Delhi Durbar events:

Year 

Event 

1877

The first Delhi Durbar was held to proclaim Queen Victoria as Empress of India.

1903

The second Delhi Durbar was held to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra as Emperor and Empress of India.

December 12, 1911

The third and final Delhi Durbar was held to mark the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary as Emperor and Empress of India.

December 13, 1911

The King announced the transfer of the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi

December 15, 1911

A grand banquet was held at the Red Fort in Delhi.

December 17, 1911,

A garden party was held at the Viceregal Lodge, now known as the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

December 18, 1911,

A Durbar was held for the Indian princes and chiefs, where they paid homage to the British monarch.

December 19, 1911,

A Durbar was held for the general public, where the King and Queen appeared before a crowd of over 100,000 people.

December 20, 1911,

The King and Queen left Delhi, concluding the Delhi Durbar ceremonies.


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Delhi Durbar Controversy

The Delhi Durbar of 1911 was not without controversy. Here are some of the primary debates associated with the event:

  • Cost: The cost of the Delhi Durbar was estimated to be around 1.5 million pounds. This was a huge sum of money at the time. Indians felt this money would have been better spent on relief efforts for the famine-stricken population. An extravagant event that only served to glorify British rule was futile.
  • Boycott: Several Indian leaders boycotted the Delhi Durbar, including. Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale are some of them. They saw the Durbar as a symbol of British imperialism. They felt that participating in it would legitimize colonial rule.
  • Criticism of dress code: The dress code for the Durbar required Indian princes and chiefs to wear traditional dress. British officials wore formal Western attire. This was seen as a deliberate attempt to reinforce the superiority of Western culture over Indian culture.
  • Protest against the partition of Bengal: The partition of Bengal in 1905 led to widespread protests and boycotts in India. The Delhi Durbar was seen by many as an attempt to distract from this issue and portray British rule in a more positive light.

Despite these controversies, the Delhi Durbar remains an important event in India's history. It is remembered for its spectacle and pageantry. It also serves as a reminder of the tensions and divisions between the British colonial government and the Indian people.

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Major Facts about Delhi Durbar

Here are some major facts about the Delhi Durbar:

  • The Delhi Durbar was a series of grand imperial assemblies held in Delhi, India, during the British Raj.
  • The first Delhi Durbar was held in 1877. It proclaimed Queen Victoria as Empress of India. The Second was held in 1903 to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII.
  • The third and final Delhi Durbar was held in 1911. It marked the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary as Emperor and Empress of India.
  • Over 250,000 people attended the Delhi Durbar of 1911: Indian princes, British officials, and public members.
  • The King and Queen made a grand procession. Elephants, accompanied by an entourage of Indian and British officials, through the streets of Delhi.
  • The Delhi Durbar of 1911 was significant because it marked the transfer of the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi. It was seen as a way for the British to showcase their power and control over India.
  • The Delhi Durbar was also controversial, with Indian nationalists and leaders. It was boycotted and criticized as a symbol of British imperialism.
  • The Delhi Durbar was documented through photographs, paintings, and other forms of media. It remains a critical moment in India's cultural and historical heritage.
  • Today, the site of the Delhi Durbar is a popular tourist attraction and historical landmark. Many visitors see the Red Fort and other monuments associated with the event.
  • The Delhi Durbar of 1911 also served as a platform for the British to showcase their power and control over India and the Indian people. 

Conclusion 

The Durbar was a symbol of British imperial power, as it showcased the wealth and splendor of the British Raj. It was also a platform for the announcement of significant political decisions, including the transfer of the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi.

The Durbar was criticized by some for its extravagant cost and for the way it reinforced British rule over India. However, it was also celebrated by many as a moment of national pride and unity, as it brought together people from all over India to celebrate their shared culture and heritage.

Overall, the Delhi Durbar of 1911 was a significant event in Indian history, representing the apex of British imperial power in India and marking the beginning of a new era in India's relationship with the British Empire. 

We hope all your doubts regarding the topic “Delhi Durbar 1911" are addressed after going through this article. Testbook provides comprehensive notes for UPSC including different competitive examinations. It has always assured the quality of its product like content pages, live tests, GK and current affairs, mocks, and so on. Ace your preparation with the Testbook App! 

More Articles for IAS Preparation

Delhi Durbar 1911 FAQs

Lord Hardinge was the Viceroy during Delhi Durbar 1911.

First Delhi Durbar was held in 1877.

Thomas Henry Thornton organized the durbar of 1877.

The 1911 Delhi Durbar was organized to celebrate the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary in June of that year at London, Great Britain, to commemorate the historic moment

The other two durbars were held in 1877 and 1903. However, the Delhi Durbar 1911 was the most famous one among these as it was to celebrate the succession of an emperor of India.
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