Splendour of empire – India: December 1911

George V and Queen Mary – the first British monarchs to make a state visit to India, the British empire's 'jewel in the crown' – hold court at the Delhi Durbar and accept vows of loyalty from Indian princes.

In 1910, Gandhi's booklet Indian Home Rule was published in English, claiming that false values of modern civilisations were destroying Indian spiritual ones. Yet, in December 1911, native rulers do obeisance to the emperor and empress of India at the Delhi Durbar.

Reuters: an excerpt from Crown and Glory, a Paramount newsreel film made at the time of the coronation of George VI in 1937 to commemorate events during his lifetime. This newsreel was shown in cinemas.

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