PICTURESQUE PRINCES.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 230, 28 September 1929, Page 17 (Supplement)

PICTURESQUE PRINCES.

INDIA'S BEGUMS, NIZAMS, AND MAHARAJAHS. LOADED WITH FORTUNES IN JEWELS. BANQUET TRAIN AND DANCING .''■ HORSES. . . Rulers of Indian-States, although they ihave adopted Western dress and customs for many occasions, still are among the inost colourful potentates of the East. Consider the Maharajah of Patiala in feetive array if you would have a true picture of Eastern eplendour and colour. He wears .a diamond tiara from which hang loops of diamonds, pearls and (Emeralds. Around his neck ie a, threerow pearl collar and, on his bveast, an emerald breastplate. His coat is of rich brocade, and his hand reste upon a diamond-hilted sword sheathed- in a velvet scabbard studded with diamonds. On his fingers are diamonds, rubies, emeralds and pearls. ' Patiala's Maharajah is outshone by other princes in the splendour of their jewels. One ruler has a peaUs eight by ten feet. Maharajah Holkar ot Tmlore, has a carpet of gold in *&§*&? ro-nf, and tall gold chairs. The Gaekva (prince) of Baroda'e treasure includes gun-carriages and cannons of golU. White bullocks, with silver-capped horns and brocaded trappings, convey these cumbersome carriages through the Streets in official parades. Until a few years ago the Bhopal was a woman, the Begum. Bkopal is a Mohammedan State znij* woman ruler made pilnmages to Mecc* and also visited England There she was Brotected from "infidel" eyes by an m loping cai" which $**«*s* her head, with lace-enibroiuered slits loi her eyes. . . . Sweets ana Smokes via Train. ing col6ured balls adorns dae tiny electric train ™-a£und jto on a small track. The tiaw seven coaches, one brandy, port, sweets, nuts en cigars and cigarettes. £££ train by E o?^|ill" f # e his selection. _ fhe rank ing The Nizam- of . H y d J ta alld probMohammedan prince of India « 1 StstcrSoT^^UJ-.

ous market for diamonds in ancient days, and the Nizam's personal collection of jewels ia worth £500,000. Colourful Courts. Although lacking in quality and quantity of jewels, the retainers of the rajahe, in their voluminous turbans and richly coloured coats, are almost as picturesque as their rulers. Corps of nautch girls wear fortunes heavy gold ornaments, and are pictures in their brilliantly hued skirts and paetel tinted saris. Even the elephants of State take to colour and jewellery. Their tueke are cut off and bound with brass rings, In some States.they are provided with solid gold ankle bands, and are tattooed with shawl effect on their foreheads and ears. . One ruler has a eolid gold , pavilion mounted on the back of his favourite elephant, and others gild these howdahs and hang them with gorgeoue trappings and tapestry curtains. The Maharajah of Udaipur has some famous dancing horses. These are purebreed hen-see, caparisoned in gold-covered bridles and brocade saddles, which prance with careful steps to the eiiig-song music of their Indian accompanists. These dancing horses are popular and may be found in the stables of many of the Indian princes. Despite the enormous wealth of the princes and other potentates of India the masses of the people live in poverty. The average individual income of India's 300,000,000 people is estimated at less than the equivalent of £5 annually. British rule has brought two blessings to India, the building of railways which avert the regional famines which, in the past, dealt death to thousands, and protection .of her north-west border against, invasion by marauding .tribesmen.