A Revised and Enlarged Account of the Bobbili Zemindari/Chapter 11/1902
1902
The Maharajah paid an official visit to H. E. Lord Ampthill at Madras. The Court of Wards Amendment Bill passed into law after two days' lengthy deliberations.
The Maharajah took his mother and wife to Tirupati and Sreerangam on pilgrimage. He purchased one-half of Kirlampudi and one-third of Arempudi Estates in the Godaveri District for Rs.8,95,160, and the Tiruvur Estate in Chengalput District for Rs.1,31,508. He was re-nominated for the fourth time to be an additional Member of the Provincial Legislative Council.
The King's Coronation in London.
On the very kind recommendation of Lord Ampthill, H.E. the Viceroy selected the Maharajah as the representative of the Presidency of Madras at the Coronation of His Majesty the King-Emperor in London.
The Maharajah left Bobbili on the 24th April, and embarked on S.S.Arabia at Bombay, landed at Marseilles, stayed a few days in Paris, and reached London on the 27th of the following month. At Victoria Station he was met by Captain Smith from the India Office, whence two carriages were sent, one for the Maharajah and the other for Sir Savali Ramaswami Modaliar, the representative of the City of Madras. Captain Smith drove with the Maharajah to St.Ermine's Hotel.
The Maharajah went to the Levee at St.James's Palace and was presented by the Secretary of State for India. He also went to the Court at Buckingham Palace and was allowed to use the Pimlico Entrance. He was present at the Trooping the Colours by His Majesty, the reviews of the Colonial and Indian troops by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales and the Aldershot Coronation review.
By the command of the King, the Earl Marshal sent a formal invitation to all the guests of the Nation.
The Maharajah, the other Indian representatives and several Ruling Chiefs were guests of H. M. the King from the 22nd June until they left London.
On account of His Majesty's serious illness the Coronation which was fixed for the 26th June was indefinitely postponed. Consequently, instead of going to the Abbey on that day for the Coronation, many of the guests, including the Maharajah, went to St.Paul's Cathedral and attended a special Service of Humble Supplication to Almighty God for His Majesty's restoration to health.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales received all the representatives in the throne room at St.James's Palace, shaking hands with each one of them and speaking a few words.
In accordance with arrangements made by the India Office, the Maharajah, and all the Indian visitors saw the British fleet at Spithead. He visited the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester. He also paid a short visit to Brighton.
Being invited by the Corporation of London to the Guild Hall he was present at the presentation of addresses to Earl Roberts and Lord Kitchener.
The Maharajah and the other representatives went to the Abbey on the Coronation Day, the 9th August, and occupied seats in the front row on the north side of the Nave. Though the plans of the guests were very much altered, yet they were very much pleased to see the King crowned.
The Maharajah with the permission of the India Office went to Windsor and drove to Frogmore Mausoleum in a carriage sent from the Castle. He saw the tomb where the late Sovereign Empress Victoria with Her Consort was lying in Peace and laid a wreath at Her feet with his most humble and loyal sentiments. He afterwards went round the Castle and returned to London.
When His Majesty the King reviewed the Indian Troops in the gardens of Buckingham Palace, all the Indian Representatives were individually presented to the King, who handed to each a Silver Coronation Medal. Subsequently H.R.H. the Prince of Wales handed Medals to the troops, who afterwards marched past the Sovereign.
Amongst other entertainments to which the Maharajah was invited were those given by the Dukes of Marlborough, Westminster, Northumberland, Somerset, Marquis of Lansdowne, the late Marquis of Salisbury, Earl Roberts, Lord Wenlock (late Governor of Madras) and the Bishop of London.
Lord George Hamilton, the Secretary of State for India, gave a farewell interview to all the representatives separately and presented each of them with his photograph bearing his autograph.
The Maharajah left London on the 15th August, and after staying for two days in Paris and four days at Geneva embarked at Marseilles on the 21st. He landed at Bombay on the 5th September and reached Bobbili on the 8th evening.
In connection with the presentation to His Most Gracious Majesty the King Emperor of India, of an Address and a Silver Casket on the auspicious occasion of His Majesty's Coronation, the Maharajah received the following reply:—
No. 1326.
"From
R. NATHAN, Esq., c.i.e.,
Offg. Deputy Secy.
to the Govt. of India.
"To
Sri Rao the Honourable Sir
VENKATASWETACHALAPATI
RANGA-RAO BAHADUR,
Rajah Maharajah of Bobbili, Madras.
Home Department,
Public.
"Sir,
"I am directed to say that the Secretary of State has intimated that His Majesty the King, Emperor of India, has been pleased to accept the Address and the Casket presented by you on the occasion of the Coronation of His Majesty, and has commanded that His Majesty's special thanks may be conveyed to you for this loyal offering.
- I have the honour to be,
- Sir,
- Your most obedient servant,
(Signed) R. NATHAN,
Offg. Deputy Secy.
to the Govt, of India."
In commemoration of the Coronation of the King Emperor the Maharajah built a ward attached to the local Hospital; it was opened by the Kumar Rajah on the actual Coronation day, 9th August. On that day there were also several festivities at Bobbili.
The Kumar Rajah was blessed with a daughter on the 20th August. She was named Lakshmi Narasamma.