RAJAH OF TRIPURA

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20952, 3 November 1939, Page 3

RAJAH OF TRIPURA

VISIT PAID TO STATE HAMILTON RESIDENT’S STORY ORIENTAL SPLENDOUR The fact that the Rajah of Tripura visited Auckland in the liner Monterey the other day awakened memories of a visit which Miss Eileen M. Coad, o‘f Selkirk Street, Hamilton, paid to the State of Tripura and tne Rajah’s palace. Describing the visit Miss Coad writes:— Less than three hundred miles north-east of Calcutta, with Bengal on the west and Assam on the north, lies the small independent State mi Hill Tripura, one of the smallest of the Indian native States. The State is inhabited by Tripuras and other Mongolian tribesmen, while approximately half the population of 500,000 are Bengalis. Most of the Tripura people proudly remind their trienuc of the blue blood that flows in their veins, and of their ancestry which they claim to trace from the revered Patriarch Abraham. We found a visit to Argatala, the capital of this State, somewhat of an adventure. Leaving the railway line we mounted a motor-bus to go the six miles to the capital. The bus was a ramshackle conveyance shaped like a van with two long seats facing each other. Strangely enough, it did not run to time-table but waited foi is full complement of passengers before setting off. Matter of Prestige The prestige of the three Europeans in our party was such that no other passengers would occupy the remainder of our seat. On realising this we willingly paid a lew pence extra fpr the privilege of a seat to ourselves, and set off. The straight road was raised about six feet above the level of the rice fields on each side. After leaving the railway junction we saw very, few dwellings until we came to the police outpost on the border of the State. When all had passed the officials’ scrutiny the bus continued its final run into the progressive town of Argatala. It was pleasing to notice in the market-place whole blocks of uniform and modern shop buildings financed by the Rajah. The main roads, too, were in good repair, and with interest we learned that the Rajah’s budget for the ensuing year included the making of 400 new roads. Up to the present the Rajah has excluded Europeans from residing in the State whether desirous of engaging in the tea industry, mission work or for other reasons. At last the bus came to a standstill before the arched gateway at the main entrance to the palace. Leading up to the long two-storied domed palace built of white stone were two extensive artificial lakes on each side of the road, reminiscent of the Taj Mahal. No other vehicle being available we were permitted to convert the motor-bus into a taxi, apparently without causing the driver any inconvenience. Stammering Driver It may be mentioned here that one or two things that recurred during the day appealed to our party as being rather amusing. The driver’s Bengali speech was strange enough to those oi our party who were new to the country without the stammering which afflicted him. Far from being self-conscious about his defect, with the usual eloquence of Orientals he sought opportunities for conversation. Then again the bus tyres demanded an abnormal amount of attention. Whenever we rejoined the taxi after seeing the sights, we were detained while the driven and his friend pumped in yet a little more air. As it was too early to visit the palace we drove on over a clay road to the old deserted palace* two miles away. As we bumped over the uneven surface we were pleasantly surprised to see a royal elephant with its mahout out for an airing. The old palace is on a commanding site overlooking the plains with low hills in the distance. The only occupant at the time was an old beturbaned Indian caretaker whom we disturbed as he squatted cross-legged on the steps reading from his sacred writings. The palace was irregularly shaped with an octagonal room upstairs o an open look-out to an attractive view, but there was also a small sunless courtyard formerly used for the royal purdah-keeping ladies, which repelled rather than attracted us. All the rooms were beautifully furnished with modern furniture (protected by dust sheets), and the walls were hung with oil-paintings, the work of Tripura royalty. As we left the palace we felt sad that such a fine building was so rarely occupied. Miniature Zoo As we were returning to the palace we inspected a miniature zoo belonging to the Rajah. Half a dozen dirty, pokey cages served to confine a brown bear, a lion and lioness and a few tigers. Permission being granted, we took off our shoes and entered the palace. One by one we inspected the state rooms, chief among which are the throneroom, ballroom, library, diningroom and billiardroom. Of the Satsuma and other costly and beautiful china, Venetian glass and silver in the dining room muen could be said. One object, however, must not be omitted—a beaten silver screen bearing the royal coat of arms, placed at one end of the room. The screen was six feet high and from ten to twelve feet long. Although not of extremely fine design, it certainly commanded attention. As we admired it, we pictured the silent turbaned Indian servants bearing in the courses from behind this astonishing piece of work. As we passed through a domed, ceilinged vestibule leading into the ballroom and library we came face to face with a huge bronze bust of Mussolini. The Rajah in his travels had evidently impressed him with his wealth and position, whereas he is actually ruler of one of the smallest of the Native States. By far the most fascinating of all the staterooms was the throne room .In keeping with the othei rooms there was a tesselated marble floor of which we were conscious because of ourstockinged feet. Not one throne but three arrested our attention. In the centre is an

imposing throne made of gold and silver and cushioned with velvet, used for all state occasioned. The fact that it takes forty coolies to lift it, speaks for itself. To the left of this throne is a smaller one which is for the rajah’s use when he attends distant durbars, while on the right is the throne which was used for His Highness’ coronation. Cases on one of the room displayed royal apparel, some of which was exceedingly beautiful, especially one red velvet waistcoat which was bespangled with clusters of pearls, rubies, amber and diamonds. At the far end of the room elephants’ ornaments were spread out on the floor, the variety being such that I imagine, when adorned on the elephants, very little of the animals’ bodies could remain uncovered. The last objects worthy of mention in the throne room were the wonderfully beautiful chandeliers. Although we did our best to persuade the keepers to switch on the electric lights we were left to imagine the effect. As we left the palace, the setting sun was brilliant in the heavens and reflections of loveliness were cast in the wide stretches of water in the palace grounds.