Lord Curzon’s Darbar

The Congress was over, but as I had to meet the Chamber of Commerce, and various people in connection with work in South Africa, I stayed in Calcutta for a month. Rather than stay this time in a hotel, I arranged to get the required introduction for a room in the India Club. Among its members were some prominent Indians, and I looked forward to getting into touch with them and interesting them in the work in South Africa. Gokhale frequently went to this Club to play billiards, and when he knew, that I was to stay in Calcutta for some time, he invited me to stay with him. I thankfully accepted the invitation, but I did not think it proper to go there by myself. He waited for a day or two, and then took me personally. He discovered my reserve, and said: ‘Gandhi, you have to stay in the country, and this sort of reserve will not do. You must get into touch with as many people as possible. I want you to do Congress work.’

The Congress was over, but I stayed in Calcutta for a month. I had to meet the Chamber of Commerce and various people about work in South Africa. Rather than stay in a hotel this time, I arranged to get the introduction needed for a room at the India Club. Some prominent Indians were members of the Club. I hoped to meet them and interest them in the work in South Africa. Gokhale often went to the Club to play billiards. When he learned that I would be staying in Calcutta for some time, he invited me to stay with him. I gratefully accepted, but I did not think it proper to go to his home on my own. He waited a day or two, then came and took me there himself. He noticed my reserve and said: ‘Gandhi, you have to stay in the country, and you cannot be so reserved. You must get to know as many people as possible. I want you to do Congress work.’

I shall record here an incident in the India Club, before I proceed to talk of my stay with Gokhale.

Before I talk about my stay with Gokhale, I will describe an incident at the India Club.

Lord Curzon held his darbar about this time. Some Rajas and Maharajas who had been invited to the darbar were members of the Club. In the Club I always found them wearing fine Bengalee dhotis and shirts and scarfs. On the darbar day they put on trousers befitting khansamas¹⁸ and shining boots. I was pained and inquired of one of them the reason for the change. ‘We alone know our own unfortunate condition. We alone know the insults we have to put up with, in order that we may possess our wealth and titles,’ he replied.

Lord Curzon held his darbar around this time. Some Rajas and Maharajas invited to the darbar were members of the Club. At the Club, I always saw them wearing fine Bengalee dhotis, shirts, and scarves. On the day of the darbar, they wore trousers fit for khansamas¹⁸ and shiny boots. I was pained and asked one of them why they had changed their clothes. ‘Only we know our own unfortunate situation. Only we know the insults we must endure to keep our wealth and titles,’ he replied.

‘But what about these khansama turbans and these shining boots?’ I asked.

‘But what about these khansama turbans and these shiny boots?’ I asked.

‘Do you see any difference between khansamas and us?’ he replied, and added, ‘they are our khansamas, we are Lord Curzon’s khansamas. If I were to absent myself from the levée I should have to suffer the consequences. If I were to attend it in my usual dress, it would be an offence. And do you think I am going to get any opportunity there of talking to Lord Curzon? Not a bit of it!’

‘Do you see any difference between khansamas and us?’ he replied, and added, ‘They are our khansamas, and we are Lord Curzon’s khansamas. If I did not attend the levée, I would suffer the consequences. If I attended in my usual clothes, it would be considered an offense. And do you think I will have any chance to speak to Lord Curzon there? Not a bit!’

I was moved to pity for this plain-spoken friend.

I felt sorry for this frank friend.

This reminds me of another darbar.

This reminds me of another darbar.

At the time when Lord Hardinge laid the foundation stone of the Hindu University, there was a darbar. There were Rajas and Maharajas of course, but Pandit Malaviyaji specially invited me also to attend it, and I did so.

When Lord Hardinge laid the foundation stone of the Hindu University, a darbar was held. Rajas and Maharajas were there, of course, but Pandit Malaviyaji had specially invited me too. I attended.

I was distressed to see the Maharajas bedecked like women,—silk pyjamas and silk achkans, pearl necklaces round their necks, bracelets on their wrists, pearl and diamond tassels on their turbans, and besides all this, swords with golden hilts hanging from their waist-bands.

I was distressed to see the Maharajas dressed up like women. They wore silk pyjamas and silk achkans, pearl necklaces, and bracelets. Their turbans had pearl and diamond tassels. Besides all this, swords with golden hilts hung from their waistbands.

I discovered, that these were insignia not of their royalty, but of their slavery. I had thought, that they must be wearing these badges of impotence of their own free will, but I was told, that it was obligatory for these Rajas to wear all their costly jewels at such functions. I also gathered, that some of them had a positive dislike for wearing these jewels, and that they never wore them, except on occasions like the darbar.

I discovered that these were signs not of their royalty, but of their slavery. I had thought they wore these badges of powerlessness by choice. But I was told that the Rajas were required to wear all their costly jewels at such events. I also learned that some of them disliked wearing these jewels and wore them only on occasions like the darbar.

I do not know how far my information correct. But whether they wear them on other occasions or not, it is was distressing enough to have to attend viceregal darbars in jewels that only some women wear.

I do not know how accurate my information is. But whether they wear these jewels on other occasions or not, having to wear them to viceregal darbars was distressing enough. The jewels were ones that only some women wear.

How heavy is the toll of sins and wrongs that wealth, power and prestige exact from man?

How many sins and wrongs do wealth, power, and prestige lead people to commit?