DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3462#0149
100 THE DURBAR
witness the display. To see native troops parading
shoulder to shoulder with the British, wearing the
same uniforms, marching under the same colours,
each and all rilled with the same fealty to the
King Emperor, could not but impress the world
with the strength of our hold on India.
It was a blazing day. The sun flashed on
the bayonets and accoutrements of the apparently
unending line of troops drawn up about a quarter of
a mile from the flagstaff and waiting for the arrival
of the Viceroy. There were two enormous stands
—one for the Viceroy's guests and high officials,
and the other for the general public. Almost
every man was in uniform; the stands formed a
blaze of scarlet and gold; while all round the
Review ground natives thronged in their multi-
coloured clothes. Surrounded by an exceptionally
brilliant staff, Lord Kitchener was stationed facing
the flagstaff on a magnificent charger. At half-
past ten precisely thirty-one guns were fired. It
was the Royal Salute; and Lord Curzon, wearing
morning dress, was seen approaching on horseback.
He was accompanied by the Duke of Connaught,
a soldierly figure in Field-Marshal's uniform, and
the Duke of Hesse in dark blue. Preceding the
procession was a small detachment of the Viceregal
witness the display. To see native troops parading
shoulder to shoulder with the British, wearing the
same uniforms, marching under the same colours,
each and all rilled with the same fealty to the
King Emperor, could not but impress the world
with the strength of our hold on India.
It was a blazing day. The sun flashed on
the bayonets and accoutrements of the apparently
unending line of troops drawn up about a quarter of
a mile from the flagstaff and waiting for the arrival
of the Viceroy. There were two enormous stands
—one for the Viceroy's guests and high officials,
and the other for the general public. Almost
every man was in uniform; the stands formed a
blaze of scarlet and gold; while all round the
Review ground natives thronged in their multi-
coloured clothes. Surrounded by an exceptionally
brilliant staff, Lord Kitchener was stationed facing
the flagstaff on a magnificent charger. At half-
past ten precisely thirty-one guns were fired. It
was the Royal Salute; and Lord Curzon, wearing
morning dress, was seen approaching on horseback.
He was accompanied by the Duke of Connaught,
a soldierly figure in Field-Marshal's uniform, and
the Duke of Hesse in dark blue. Preceding the
procession was a small detachment of the Viceregal