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| The Victoria & Albert Museum Click to Enlarge |
At the 1870 Delhi Durbar, Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India. The Durbar was depicted in countless paintings and photographs which gave many Britons their first glance at India. Many of the illustrations of the Durbar depicted the Queen as she was named Empress. We should note, however, that Victoria did not attend the Delhi Durbar, and was named Empress in absentia. In fact, she never even once visited India. So, any depiction of Her Majesty in attendance is purely fictional.
This black and white cartoon was first published in the magazine Punch on December 14, 1877. It depicts a procession of exotic animals, produce and people inspired by the Delhi Durbar, but also as an editorial response to problems across the empire. The image, drawn by Joseph Swain (1820-1909). Shows camels, crocodiles and elephants, many of them labeled with slogans referring to problems across Queen Victoria's lands. At the head of the procession is Mr. Punch, riding in a Roman style chariot and dressed in the armor of a centurion—acting in his longtime role as the voice of and protector of the people. Behind him are various government officials and a mysterious figure on horseback wearing the sash of “Europa.”
The cartoon is entitled PVNCHIVS, IMPERATOR. A.D. MDCCCLXXVII ("Punchius Imperator a.d. 1877”). This is preserved in the magnificent George Speaight Punch & Judy Collection at the V&A.
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