| The Princes of the "Native States" | |
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Princes were always tempting
subjects for
the artist and engraver, including the Illustrated London News; see
also *The
Native
States
of India* |
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The Maharaja of *Gwalior*, like many other princes, was handsomely rewarded for his loyalty during the turbulent days of 1857 |
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Princes Indian and British: formal receptions, and the exchange of gifts according to elaborate courtly protocols |
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As photography became available, what better subjects than the princes? |
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Some early studies by the famous British photographer Samuel Bourne |
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The princes sometimes held elaborate military displays and parades; but after 1857, the troops of "native irregulars" were not taken very seriously by the Paramount Power |
| *BEGAMS of BHOPAL* |
The
only significant dynastic succession of female rulers was that of the
famous Begams of Bhopal |
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Many princely states had their own coins, often with both Hindi and Urdu inscriptions; and special "nazrana" coins for imperial presentation |
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Police documents from the Rajasthani state of Tonk, dated 1868, and written in a mixture of Urdu, Hindi, and English |
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"Hamid Manzil" in RAMPUR today houses the manuscripts of the wonderful Raza Library |
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A look at Lalbagh Palace, and other features of the state of INDORE |
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Many princely states had their own local architectural traditions-- but hardly any were as eye-catching as that of JUNAGARH, in Gujarat |
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Life in BARODA-- some vivid court scenes from 1872 |
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An official overview, in 21 carefully chosen prints, of life in the Gujarati state of BHAVNAGAR |
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After a fire destroyed the old one, the new palace of the Maharajah of MYSORE was designed by a British architect in 1897 |
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And the Raja of TANJORE cut a fine figure as well |