The Indian tour of 1875–76 undertaken by Albert Edward, Prince of Wales—later King Edward VII—remains one of the most remarkable royal journeys of the nineteenth century, not merely for its political symbolism but for the extraordinary artistic legacy it produced. As the eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Albert Edward was heir to the British throne and the future Emperor of India. His eight-month tour of the Indian subcontinent was conceived as both an educational experience for the heir apparent and a grand imperial spectacle designed to strengthen bonds between the British Crown and India’s princely states.
Travelling aboard HMS Serapis, the Prince arrived in India in October 1875, during the viceroyalty of Lord Northbrook. Over the next four months, he traversed more than 21 major cities and towns across present-day India, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka, journeying by rail, riverboat, carriage and elephant. He was received with elaborate ceremonial honours at over ninety royal courts, where Indian rulers followed established protocol by presenting gifts befitting his rank and imperial stature.
These gifts—more than 2,000 in number—constituted one of the most magnificent collections of Indian courtly art ever assembled. Crafted in gold, silver, enamel, precious stones and exotic materials, they reflected the regional aesthetics, technical mastery and symbolic traditions of their makers. Rather than mere tokens, the gifts were carefully planned diplomatic offerings, intended to express loyalty, cultural sophistication and royal prestige.
Among the most striking objects were jewel-encrusted crowns presented by the Taluqdars of Awadh, richly decorated daggers from Alwar with pearl-filled blades, and gold sirpech turban ornaments from Udaipur set with emeralds, diamonds and pearls. Ceremonial morchals, or fly whisks, fashioned from peacock feathers and gold tinsel, illustrated the ritual etiquette of Indian courts, where attendants fanned rulers as a mark of sovereignty. Particularly notable was an enameled gold inkstand in the form of the Maurpankhi, a state barge, presented by the Maharajah of Benares, complete with inscribed dedications identifying both giver and recipient.
Other gifts included durbar services from Mysore, articulated gold fish from Morvi symbolizing prosperity, and exquisitely crafted perfume holders shaped like lotus buds—objects that required years of skilled labor and repeated firings. Collectively, these works demonstrated the exceptional artistry of Indian goldsmiths, enamellers and lapidaries.
Prince Albert Edward’s letters reveal his empathy toward Indians and his discomfort with racial arrogance among British officials, noting that difference of color or religion did not justify inhuman treatment. The tour’s success directly influenced Parliament’s decision to confer upon Queen Victoria the title “Empress of India” in 1876.
Today, these gifts form a core component of the Royal Collection, frequently exhibited to international audiences. They stand not only as relics of empire but as enduring testimonies to India’s artistic brilliance and the complex cultural encounters of the colonial age.
Above image: The Prince of Wales (King Edward VII). The eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910. Before ascending the throne, he held the title of Prince of Wales for longer than any of his predecessors............
Below are presented some of the valuable gifts presented to Prince Charles on his trip to India in 1875. They were all made with precision and artistry and reflect the rich splendor of the Indian court. All were made with meticulous care with minute details and they bear testimony to the artistic and technical knowledge of the Indian goldsmiths and artisans.
A selection of them is presented to the public in the form of exhibition across England and other places and the Indian artworks and workmanship have been widely admired by the people for their
unique design and quality of work. (image credit: thenational.ae/arts).
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| Fly Whisks thenationalnews.com |
Above image: Pair of mochas (fly whisks) of peacock feathers, inlaid with diamonds and set with layered bands of gold tinsel. “Fans like these were used by attendants to fan the ruler and try and keep him cool during hot months as India is a hot country. The ruler happened to be the most important person in the room.”Courtesy Royal Collection Trust 2017
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| ink stand elizabethhawksley.com |
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| India, ink stand.thenational.ae/arts |
Above image: Enameled gold inkstand in the form of a state barge known as the Mayurpankhi presented by Ishwari Prasad Narayan Singh, Maharajah of Benares. It comprises 19 pieces including a penknife, two pen nibs and a pair scissors. It mentions the identity of the presenter and the receiver: a small gold flag is emblazoned with the Benares crest of two fishes, and the mast is inscribed with a dedication to the prince. Modelled on a state barge which took the Prince on a trip down the River Ganges. It is made of gold, enamel, diamonds, pearl, sapphires, rubies, glass beads, silver-gilt thread and silk. Courtesy Royal Collection Trust.........
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| India. Jewel crusted Crown. thenational.ae/arts |
Above image: Enamelled gold and jewel encrusted crown presented by the Taluqdars of Awadh to the Prince of Wales in 1876. Splendours of the Subcontinent: A Prince's Tour of India 1875-6. Courtesy Royal Collection Trust 2017.......
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| India. Durbar set. henational.ae/arts |
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| India. address casket. www.thenational.ae/arts |
An incongruous gift from Agra, engraved with the prince’s name. Courtesy Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017..................
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| India. Turban ornament. thenational.ae/arts |
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| India. ornamented dagger thenational.ae/ |
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| India .gold articulated fish. thenational.ae |
Above image: Ornamental gold articulated fish, featuring ruby eyes and an emerald set into the head, presented by Waghji II Rawaji, Thakur Sahib of Morvi. Courtesy Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017.........
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| India. Silver gold scent holder. thenational.ae/arts |
Above image: Lotus bud shaped silver and gold perfume holder. Gift to the Prince of Wales by Jaswant Singh II, Maharajah of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, an attar-dan from Jaipur bowls. This exquisite perfume holder resembles a lotus flower and sits on a plate enameled with foliage patterns and hunting scenes. It reportedly underwent five firings and took five years to complete. A hidden mechanism allows the petals of the flower to open, revealing a red and yellow enamelled cup. It is made of gold, enamel, diamonds and pearls...Courtesy Royal Collection Trust 2017.............
https://navrangindia.blogspot.com/2018/05/english-prince-albert-and-fascinating.html
https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/the-extraordinary-gifts-india-gave-to-an-english-prince-in-1875-1.700205
http://www.alaintruong.com/archives/2017/12/17/35965101.html
Author: K.N. Jayaraman
(Revised)
