The Princes of the "Native States"


Princes were always tempting subjects for the artist and engraver, including the Illustrated London News; see also *The Native States of India*
The Maharaja of *Gwalior*, like many other princes, was handsomely rewarded for his loyalty during the turbulent days of 1857
Princes Indian and British: formal receptions, and the exchange of gifts according to elaborate courtly protocols
As photography became available, what better subjects than the princes?
Some early studies by the famous British photographer Samuel Bourne
The princes sometimes held elaborate military displays and parades; but after 1857, the troops of "native irregulars" were not taken very seriously by the Paramount Power
*BEGAMS
of BHOPAL
*
The only significant dynastic succession of female rulers was that of the famous Begams of Bhopal
Many princely states had their own coins, often with both Hindi and Urdu inscriptions; and special "nazrana" coins for imperial presentation
Police documents from the Rajasthani state of Tonk, dated 1868, and written in a mixture of Urdu, Hindi, and English
"Hamid Manzil" in RAMPUR today houses the  manuscripts of the wonderful Raza Library
A look at Lalbagh Palace, and other features of the state of INDORE
Many princely states had their own local architectural traditions-- but hardly any were as eye-catching as that of JUNAGARH, in Gujarat
Life in BARODA-- some vivid court scenes from 1872
An official overview, in 21 carefully chosen prints, of life in the Gujarati state of BHAVNAGAR
After a fire destroyed the old one, the new palace of the Maharajah of MYSORE was designed by a British architect in 1897
And the Raja of TANJORE cut a fine figure as well



 
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