The guests being all seated, a flourish of trumpets by the heralds exactly at noon announced the arrival of the Viceroy.  The military bands played a march, and Lord Lytton, accompanied by Lady Lytton, their daughters, and his staff, proceeded to the pavilion.  His Excellency took his seat upon the throne, arrayed in his robes as Grand Master of the Star of India, the National Anthem was played, the Guards of Honour presented arms, while the whole of the vast assemblage rose as one man.  The Chief Herald was then commanded to read the Proclamation.  A flourish of trumpets was again sounded, and Her Majesty was proclaimed Empress of India.

When the Chief Herald had ceased reading, the Royal Standard was hoisted, and a salute of 101 salvoes of artillery was fired, with a feu de joie from the long line of troops.  This was too much for the elephants.  As the feu de joie approached nearer and nearer to them they became more and more alarmed, and at last scampered off, dispersing the crowd in every direction.  When it ceased they were quieted and brought back by their mahouts, only to start off again when the firing recommenced; but, as it was a perfectly bare plain, without anything for the great creatures to come in contact with, there was no harm done beyond a severe shaking to their riders.  As the sound of the last salvo died away the Viceroy addressed the assemblage.  When he had ceased speaking, the assembly again rose en masse and joined the troops in giving several ringing cheers.

His Highness the Maharaja Sindhia then spoke as follows:  ’Shah in Shah Padishah.  May God bless you.  The Princes of India bless you, and pray that your sovereignty and power may remain steadfast for ever.’

Sir Salar Jung rose on behalf of the boy Nizam, and said:  ’I am desired by His Highness the Nizam to request your Excellency to convey to Her Majesty, on the part of himself and the Chiefs of India, the expression of their hearty congratulations on the assumption of the title of Empress of India, and to assure the Queen that they pray for her, and for the enduring prosperity of her Empire, both in India and England.’

The Maharajas of Udaipur and Jaipur, in the name of the united Chiefs of Rajputana, begged that a telegram might be sent to the Queen, conveying their dutiful and loyal congratulations; and the Maharaja of Kashmir expressed his gratification at the tenor of the Viceroy’s speech, and declared that he should henceforth consider himself secure under the shadow of Her Majesty’s protecting care.[6]

[Illustration:  THE EARL OF LYTTON, G.C.B., G.M.S.I., G.M.I.E., VICEROY or INDIA. From a photograph by Messrs. Maull and Fox.]

It is difficult to overrate the political importance of this great gathering.  It was looked upon by most of the Ruling Chiefs as the result of the Prince of Wales’s visit, and rejoiced in as an evidence of Her Majesty’s increased interest in, and appreciation of, the vast Empire of India with its many different races and peoples.