Delhi Durbar 1911. A fine copy of the Official Directory

CORONATION DURBAR DELHI 1911. Official Directory with maps. Superintendent Government Printing, India [Calcutta] 1911. 1st & only edition, 12mo [6¼ x 4 ins].

Large folding coloured plan Coronation Durbar 1911 on a scale of 2 ins to 1 mile [14½ x 19¼ ins], folding plan Durbar, Delhi, 12th December 1911 [14 x 19 ins with small hole at one interesecting fold] in rear pocket, vi, 388pp. Original red cloth gilt in clean bright condition, contents very clean, official Durbar Post Office stamp to verso of the seating plan, which shows positions of troops and numbering of seat sections. An excellent copy of this now rather scarce little book. An invaluable wotk of reference, fully indexed, unlike the 1903 directory, containing the following useful sections: Proclamation, Progreamme ofState Ceremonies, The State Entry, The Durbar, Reception of Ruling Chiefs, Unveiling of Edward VII Memorial, Military Church Parade, , Presentation of Volunteer and Indian Officers, Presentation of Colours, The State Reception, State Garden Party, Review, Investiture, Review of Police, Departure of Their Imperial Majesties, Sports, Games, etc., Administration, Miscellaneous Information. However the greater part of the book from pages 122 to 388 is taken up with the details of the numerous camps of officials, visitors, Indian States, Military personnel, listing the officials and their visitors. This is the part of the directory most used in our reference copy.   oct20/2

This Durbar and following extensive Royal Tour mark in many ways the high point of Imperial India, being the only occasion on which a ruling monarch visited India although there were three Royal Tours made  by Princes of Wales.