jalsah-i qaisari

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

jalsah-i qaisari

The other day I was prepping my brother for his end of term exams and the subject in contention was History. I have been a person who has grown up loving history as a subject. I remember my excitement to my teacher starting a new chapter in class. Fast forward five years later, when I no longer have history classes to attend or eighty marks papers to write, I have found my solace in Historical fiction books. There’s no doubt that books take you to a parallel unverse but with HIS-FIC books it feels like you are re-living a moment. A moment that has changed the course of mankind, a moment that has made it’s way to the books of every student, a moment that has left an indelible mark on the past, present and future. Coming back to the present day, my brother stops writing and looks up to me and asks, “Didi, if you were to witness ONE historical event, which one would you?” This 11 year old has baffled me with his question. There are a number of historical events that I wish I was a part of, but it’s really hard to come to consensus with one. Especially because I was born in a country like India, which has such a rich heritage and culture and millions of defining moments.

The only thing on my mind on that particular day was this question. My brain was a battlefield, the left side and the right side of my brain were on war. After a long day of battle and numerous wounds, both the parties declared peace, they came to an agreement; jalsah-i qaisari.

Known as Delhi Durbars in English, these were grand events organised in the 19^th century by the viceroys to mark the coronation of the Emperors or Empresses. After the sepoy mutiny of 1857, the British were growing increasingly insecure of their position in India. In November of 1858, the infamous proclamation of Allahabad was made by Lord Canning that ended the rule of East India Company, with the British Monarchy assuming it’s role. But, it was only in 1877 when Queen Victoria assumed the title of ‘Empress Of India’. The then Viceroy, Lord Lytton was asked to proclaim the same on her behalf throughout India, for which he decided to host an Imperial Assemblage at Delhi on the 1^st of January 1877. All the Governors, Lt Governors, Heads of Administrations, Ruling Chiefs, Princes and Nobles were invited for this historic ceremony. There were 68,000 people in attendance excluding the 15,000 men who were on duty as troops. It was the first time in the history of India that the entire Indian royalty had come together wih the common goal of paying homage to the Britsh Supremacy. The viceroy was welcomed with gun salutes and was made to sit on the Viceregal Throne in the centre, while the Governors, Head of Administrations, Ruling Chiefs, Native chiefs and other high officials sat in a semi-circle facing him.

Although Queen Victoria was absent from the Delhi Durbar of 1877, her proclaimation was read out in English as well as Urdu to the unprecedented gathering of British and Indian subjects. With the proclaimation, she assumed the title of Qaisar-i-hind and promised all her Indian subjects that under her rule principles of liberty, equity and justice would prevail. The Viceroy then conferred each chief with a Gold Medal and a Banner in the name of the Queen.

The Durbar was ultimately a statement of imperial power and sovereignty over India, one that served as a stark reminder to Indians of their status as subjects to the British Empire.

The Delhi Durbar was held twice more in 1903 and 1911 to proclaim first King Edward VII and then King George V as Emperor of India. It was the 1903 Delhi Durbar that set the standards for truly dazzling imperial extravagance.

If I were given a chance to witness any historical moment, it would be these Delhi Durbars. To witness how rich our country was, to witness the grandeur and elegance of the event, to witness India in its’s prime economic health.