Julie F. Codell

The Durbars were occasions marking the formal coronations of English monarchs as empress and emperors of India: Victoria in 1877, Edward VII in 1903 and George V in 1911. Instituted by the Viceroys of India -- Lytton, Curzon and Hardinge -- the Durbars were the first examples of the inscription of the Raj in a celebratory history that served to legitimate colonial presence. Lasting several weeks, each lavish occasion was imaged and described in photographs (cartes-de-viste as well as private, popular and commissioned photos), paintings, press illustrations, illustrated souvenirs, memoirs, photo albumns and films.

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