THE ROYAL CARRIAGE OF REWAH
Surely the owner of this gorgeous turnout must be a very important person in India. See the magnificent trappings of the elephants and the many mahouts, or drivers. To own an elephant is quite a distinction, and only titled or extremely wealthy people have carriages drawn by the huge animals. Would you like to ride after them? It seems to me it would be a very slow way of getting about, but no doubt it would be impressive.
The elephants in the picture belong to a Maharaja or great prince, and they have come from Rewah, a little state somewhat north from the centre of India. You know India is a very large country and it is divided into states, some large, some small, each of which has a native ruler. These rulers live in great splendour and dress in magnificent fashion, with jewels and many coloured garments.
Look at these elephants and see how gay they are. Their trunks are painted, a big medallion hangs between their eyes and a gorgeously embroidered cloth covers their backs and hangs down almost to the ground on both sides of them. In addition to this they have big chains around their necks, which I should think would be in the way when they walked, shouldn’t you? Can you imagine how all this would look in blues and greens and reds, with the glitter of gold and silver sparkling in the bright sunlight?
Richly adorned Elephants and Carriage of H. H. the Maharaja of Rewah India
From Stereograph, copyright by Underwood & Underwood, New York