1 H. R. H. PRINCE ALBERT VICTOR OF WALES. 619
2 A brilliant garden party at Shaldmdr, or the House of Joy, given by
3 Sir James Lyall, in which both Europeans and natives took part, and a
4 public ball at the Montgomery and Lawrence Halls, which was both brilliant
5 and unique, closed the festivities connected with the Royal visit to the capital
6 of the Panjab.
7 On the 6th of February, His Royal Highness visited Amritsar. Grand
8 preparations had been made there to receive the Prince. The road decora-
9 tions were most effective, and the triumphal arch near the Hall Gate was
10 a grand work of decorative art. Inside the city, from the Kaisari Bégh
11 to the Golden Temple, the fronts of the houses were literally covered with
12 Kashmir shawls and other rich cloths, while arches of shawls had been
13 erected at convenient intervals. The bye-streets and house-tops were filled
14 with crowds of enthusiastic spectators. His Royal Highness, after being
15 greeted at the railway platform by a distinguished company of officers and
16 European and native gentlemen, stepped into a magnificent carriage speci-
17 ally provided for him, which was drawn by a team of four Artillery.horses,
18 and two drivers, who rode postillion. He drove first to the Golden Temple, , Vis
19 where the Royal party was received by the Managing Committee of the
20 Darbar Sahib. The members of the party, after putting on gold embroidered
21 cloth shoes, which had been previously provided for the occasion, entered the
22 Temple and were shown round. At their departure, His Royal Highness
23 and the members of the party were decorated with garlands of flowers by
24 the priests. The party having then driven to the beautifully decorated
25 Town Hall, the Prince received the respects of the native gentlemen and
26 officials of the district present. The presentations over, His Royal High-
27 ness adjourned to an adjoining room, where a large and varied assortment
28 of magnificent articles of local manufacture was displayed. He inspected
29 closely a large number of articles, and showed great interest in what he saw.
30 The Carpet Factory of Amritsar was then inspected, and, after a drive through
31 the Rim Bagh, historically famous as the Court House of Ranjit Singh, and
32 a short respite, His Royal Highness left by special train for Kapurthalld.
33 At Kapurthdllé His Royal Highness was magnificently received by the
34 Rajé, the whole city and the main approaches being profusely decorated.
35 The Prince was entertained by an exhibition of some good wrestling and
36 Sikh athletic sports, which were highly appreciated. The city was illumi-
37 nated and the handsome Darbar Hall lighted up by electricity.
38 On the 7th of February the Royal party arrived at Patidlé. Grand
39 preparations were made by the Mahardjé to receive his illustrious guest ;
40 the railway station and the roads, as well as the town, as far as the camp
41 at Moti Bagh, were profusely illuminated, the principal streets were taste-
42 fully embellished and the Darbar rooms handsomely decorated, At a grand
43 Darbar held by the Mahardjé in honour of the Royal visit, His Highness
44 made an eloquent speech, replete with loyal sentiments and good wishes
45 for the Royal Family of England. In commemoration of the joyful and
46 auspicious event, the Maharaja expressed his intention of founding a scholar-
47 ship in the Panjéb University, to be called the Albert Victor Patidld
48 eae to be awarded to the most distinguished scholar in the
49 anjab.
50 His Royal Highness, in reply, cordially thanked His Highness for the
51 splendid reception accorded to him. He expressed his pleasure at making
52 His Highness’s acquaintance, and thanked him for the handsome manner
53 in which his visit was to be commemorated. The Prince departed for Delhi
54 o eee leaving behind him a recollection which Patidla will ever proudly
55 cheris
56 Garden party at
57 Shalamar.
58 The Royal visit to
59 Amritsar.
60 Visit to the “ Darbar
61 nib.”
62 The Town Hall.
63 Inspection of local
64 manufactures.
65 The Royal visit to
66 Kapurthalla
67 And Patiala.
68 The Mahardja of
69 Patiala founds a
70 scholarship in com~-
71 memoration of His
72 Royal Highness’s visit
73 to his capital.
74 "Sri Satguru J agjit Singh Ji eLibrary NamdhariElibrary@ gmail.com