RANJITSINHJI'S THRONE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10960, 1 May 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

RANJITSINHJI'S THRONE.

GLITTERING SCENE AT INSTAI.

LATION.

HIS THREE PALACES,

BOMBAY, March 11.

Prince Ranjitsinhji's installation as Jam of Nawanagar to-day has caused im. mense excitement throughout the province of Kathiawar.

The date of the installation was hvfrriedly fixed m a consultation of Hindu astrologers, who . declared that if it did not take place to-day there would be nc auspicious date for two months. The astrologers took a leading part m trie ceremonies, and, m deference to Hindu susceptibilities, even Jthe exact moment of Prince Ranjitsinhji's alighting .by special train at Jamnagar Station was fixed by them. | Special trains have been pouring into Jamnagar for the last two days, bfini. - ing many native princes, including Prinre Ranjitsinhji's -uncle, Sir Pertab Singh, the Maharajah of Idar, and the Rao of Cntqh. The installation was a ceremony of the most picturesque character. Fr>m early morning dense crowds" blocked the approaches to the palace at Jamnagar, and the roofs of the houses were thronged with spectators. The installation. was performed by Mr Fitzgerald, the Agent to the GovernorGeneral m Kathiawair, m a vast mar-f quee before the city; palace, orie o^ the three palaces which Prince Ranjitsinhji nowß owns. The 'State troops and Imperial Service Lancers lined the roads and furnished a guard of honor. One side of the square was lined with'elephants, richly bedecked. Prince Ranjitsinhji wore a. magnificent dress, sparkling with jewels, a- splendid jewelled belt, and a sword glittering with gems. At five o'clock Mr Fitzgerald arrived and was met at the entrance.; to the.-mar-quee' by Prince Ranjitsinhji amid the booming of guns. After the ceremony of installation, Mr Fitzgerald presented thcongratnlations of Lord Lamingtori> the Governor of Bombay, and declared m a.i eloquent- speech that Prince Ranjitsinhji was the direct descendant of ;Ran ",-J_h Singji, who ruled m Jamnagar ,250 years ago. He knew Prince Ranjitsinhji's grandfather and his father, who was the beau-ideal of a Rajput gentleman. He had known Prince Ranjitsinhji himself .since he was a little boy, and had admired the pluck, patience, and self restraint with which he had met adversity., Thousands m England, he said, would re joke that Prince Ranjitsinhji had at 'ast come into his own. / -,i

: Then he handed Prince Ranjitsinhji the keys of the Treasury, and declared him Jam amid the .acclamations of the vast multitude. The Jam, replying, said thut he would always endeavor to play the game. He would abide by. the traditions of the State and maintain unswerving loyalty to Great Britain. The city was illuminated at night, and thousands of telegrams from all over the world a. c pouring into Jamnagar. ,;