<strong>Delhi</strong> Durbars “We are pleased to announce to Our People that on the advice of Our M<strong>in</strong>isters tendered after consultation with Our Governor-General <strong>in</strong> Council, We have decided upon the transfer of the seat of the Government of India from Calcutta to the ancient Capital <strong>Delhi</strong>….” These were the words uttered by K<strong>in</strong>g George V, to his subjects <strong>in</strong> <strong>Delhi</strong>, on 12 December 1911, which changed forever the fate of the city. This sensational surprise was significant for two reasons: one that there was no previous <strong>in</strong>dication given to the general public that such an announcement would be made but more importantly because it meant that <strong>Delhi</strong> from then on became the capital of the empire, replac<strong>in</strong>g Calcutta which till then was the pulsat<strong>in</strong>g, nerve centre <strong>and</strong> then f<strong>in</strong>ally became the capital of an <strong>in</strong>dependent nation. This announcement was made at the third Imperial Durbar of 1911, the gr<strong>and</strong>est of the three Durbars to be held <strong>in</strong> <strong>Delhi</strong>. The Imperial Durbars <strong>in</strong> <strong>Delhi</strong>, showcas<strong>in</strong>g the prowess of the British, celebrated the coronations of the ruler <strong>in</strong> Engl<strong>and</strong>, as the emperor or empress of India. They were really an ‘<strong>in</strong>vented tradition’ <strong>and</strong> a means of perpetuat<strong>in</strong>g a tradition of previous H<strong>in</strong>du, Muslim, <strong>and</strong> <strong>Mughal</strong> rulers. The first Durbar was conceived <strong>and</strong> executed by the then Viceroy of India, Lord Lytton (1831–1891). It was held on 1 January 1877 to mark the proclamation of Queen Victoria as Empress of India. The Durbar was attended by representatives of the royal families from all prov<strong>in</strong>ces of India <strong>and</strong> the seniormost British dignitaries. It is said that the Durbar was an extravaganza of pomp <strong>and</strong> ceremony <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>cluded a parade on a decorated elephant, <strong>in</strong> the presence of about 70,000 people, by Lord <strong>and</strong> Lady Lytton. The ultimate idea of the procession of the royal Durbar was to represent the British Raj as br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g ‘order <strong>and</strong> discipl<strong>in</strong>e, which was <strong>in</strong> ideology part of the whole system of colonial control’. The second Durbar was organized by Lord Curzon who was the then Viceroy of India, <strong>and</strong> was held on 1 January 1903. The reason for the celebration was to commemorate the <strong>Coronation</strong> of K<strong>in</strong>g Edward VII <strong>in</strong> Engl<strong>and</strong>. Like the previous Durbar, this one was also an exercise <strong>in</strong> meticulous plann<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> a great show of the pomp <strong>and</strong> splendour of the British Raj. For the purpose of the Durbar, the vast flat l<strong>and</strong> of the <strong>Coronation</strong> <strong>Park</strong> was turned <strong>in</strong>to a virtual tented city by Lord Curzon who established huge encampments filled with colourful tents. A variety of <strong>in</strong>frastructure <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g water, dra<strong>in</strong>age, sanitation, electricity, <strong>and</strong> rail communications was supplied to the venue from different locations <strong>in</strong> the nearby city. Firework displays, exhibitions, <strong>and</strong> glamorous dances were organized. Special postage stamps were issued on the occasion. Post offices, telegraph, <strong>and</strong> telephone communications were provided. The elite of the world media were present, but the <strong>in</strong>tended chief guest, the K<strong>in</strong>g-Emperor himself, did not attend the celebrations held <strong>in</strong> his honour. Instead, he was represented by his brother, the Duke of Connaught <strong>and</strong> Strathearn. It is A temporary but eleborate city came up north of the ridge to accommodate the Durbar of 1911 © Nehru Archives, Teen Murti Bhavan