The Ruling Princes of India

Circa 1903

Offset lithograph on paper

Print Size: 25.5 x 19 in (65 x 48.2 cm)
With Mount: 31.25 x 25.5 in (79.5 x 65 cm)

The print was printed and published by A Vivian Mansell in London and Manchester, based on a painting by Indian artist Shukla Bros. from Hyderabad. Made in commemoration of the princely state rulers who attended the Delhi Durbar of 1903, this off-set colour lithograph depicts 40 rulers, seemingly assembled (collage) from a variety of photographs rather than a single sitting. The print depicts Indian rulers adorned in royal attire amidst an architectural setting reminiscent of Mughal design, symbolizing British India's hierarchical and political dynamics. The print prominently features Nizam Mir Mehboob Ali Khan VI, clad in a black sherwani.

The durbar celebrated Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark's succession as India's Emperor and Empress.

Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, meticulously planned the two full weeks of festivities. It was a dazzling display of pomp, power, and impeccable timing. Neither the earlier Delhi Durbar of 1877 nor the later Durbar held there in 1911 could match the pageantry of Lord Curzon’s 1903 festivities. A few short months after the end of 1902, a deserted plain transformed into an elaborate tented city, complete with a temporary light railway to attract spectators from Delhi, a post office with its own stamp, telephone and telegraphic facilities, a variety of stores, a police force in a specially designed uniform, a hospital, a magistrate's court, and complex sanitation, drainage, and electric light installations. The city sold souvenir guidebooks and distributed maps of its camping grounds. The rulers are standing in the order of the number of gun salutes they received.

Bottom: From left to right:
His Highness the Maharaja of Kashmir and Jammu, Pratap Singh
His Highness the Maharaja of Gwalior and Sindhia,Madho Rao Scindia
His Highness the Nawab of Bahawalpur, Sadeq Mohammad Khan V
His Highness the Gaekwar of Baroda, Sayajirao III Gaekwad
His Highness the Nizam of Hyderabad, Usman Ali Khan
His Highness the Maharaja of Indore, Shivajirao Holkar
His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore, Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV
His Highness the Maharaja of Balrampur, Bhagwati Prasad Singh
His Highness the Maharaja of Nepaul, Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah
His Highness the Maharaja of Jodhpur, Sumer Singh
His Highness the Maharaja of Travancore, Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma

2nd row: From left to right:
His Highness the Nawab of Rampur, Mohammad Hamid Ali Khan
His Highness the Maharaja of Cooch Behar, Nripendra Narayan
His Highness the Raja of Bikanir, Ganga Singh
His Highness the Maharaja of Tipperah, Bir Chandra Manikya
His Highness the Maharaja of Idar, Partab Singh
His Highness the Maharaja of Jaipur, Madho Singh II
His Highness the Maharaja of Rewah, Gulab Singh
His Highness the Maharaja of Karauli, Bhanwar Pal
His Highness the Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh Mahinder
His Highness the Maharaja of Rana of Dholpur, Udaybhanu Singh
His Highness the Maharao of Kotah, Umed Singh
His Highness the Raja of Dhar, Udaji Rao Puar
His Highness the Maharaja of Alwar, Jai Singh

3rd row: From left to right:
His Highness the Raja of Alirajpur, Raja Pratap Singh
His Highness the Raja of Benares, Prabhu Narayan Singh
His Highness the Thakur Saheb of Limbdi (Limri), Daulat Sinh
His Highness the Nawab Bahadur of Murshidabad, Hassan Ali Mirza
His Highness the Maharaja of Burdwan, Bijay Chand Mahtab
His Highness the Maharaja of Nabha, Ripudaman Singh
His Highness the Nawab of Loharu, Amiruddin Ahmad Khan
His Highness the Maharaja of Kapurthala, Jagat Singh
His Highness the Maharaja of Sikkim, Thotub Namgye

4th row: From left to right:
His Highness the Maharaja of Kolhapur, Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj
The Raja of Chota Udaipur, Fateh Singh
His Highness the Maharaja of Naham, Amar Prakash
His Highness the Maharaja of Dhurbunga, Kameshwar Singh
His Highness the Maharaja Rao of Gidhour, Jai Mangal Singh
His Highness the Maharaja of Jhind, Shamsher Singh
His Highness the Maharaj Rana of Jhalawar, Bhawani Singh

A Vivian Mansell & Co.
A A Vivian Mansell & Co. were publishers and printers specializing in postcards and advertisements, operating primarily from London and Manchester. They became a limited company in 1933. They ceased trading in the 1970s.

Vivian Mansell & Co., established in the late 19th century, was a prominent British publishing and printing firm, renowned for producing high-quality postcards and lithographs. The company operated from London and Manchester and became well-known for its vibrant and detailed works. By 1933, it transitioned into a limited company and continued its operations until the 1970s.

The firm is renowned for its ability to document significant historical and ceremonial events through its prints and postcards. For instance, they published artwork commemorating the Delhi Durbar of 1911, which celebrated King George V's coronation as Emperor of India. Their works often featured themes of imperial grandeur, military reviews, and royal occasions, catering to both a domestic and international audience. Collectors today highly regard these items for their artistic and historical value.

This lot will be shipped unframed.

NON-EXPORTABLE

This lot will be shipped in "as is" condition. For further details, please refer to the images of individual lots as reference for the condition.