VI.THE CALCUTTA EXHIBITION.
Illustrated letter
WHILST in Calcutta—being there for the sole object of initiating an International Exhibition, it became urgent to disseminate amongst the native population the purpose of such a venture.
H.E. the Viceroy (Lord Ripon) and the Governor of Bengal, Mr. (now Sir Rivers) Thompson, were very doubtful as to the success of this Exhibition, owing to the prejudices of the Indian population, and the erroneous impression they would have of a thing quite beyond their comprehension, and, moreover, in direct contravention with their ultra-conservative ideas. They feared that the strict zenana laws would not permit the female portion of the people to visit my Exhibition.
Whilst fully appreciating the validity of such serious obstacles, I did not quite give up hopes of overcoming them. As a rule I do not object to a few “balks”—I think that life is a kind of hurdle race—mine has been so all through. I was not born to enter into a flat one. I certainly do think that difficulties give a zest to and enhance the value of the result of one’s undertakings.
In this instance I made up my mind to at once face the opposition. I sought and readily obtained introductions to the principal native notabilities of Calcutta.
Maharajah Sir Jotindra Tagore, Bart.; Maharajah Bahadur of Cooch Behar, Rajah Krishna, Rajah Rajendra Mullick, Prince Mahomed, Furruck Shah, the Maharajah of Paikpara; and, above all, my worthy friend the late Kristodas Pal (the able and learned editor of thePatriot), Nawab Abdool Luteef, and last, though not least, my doctor—Kanny Lall Dey—were my friends and helpmates, as far as the Hindu portion was concerned. Amongst the Parsees my task was much easier. They are, of course, more easily approached; they live more like ourselves. But even with them I had the good fortune to meet an able coadjutor, Mr. Mettra, who did not wait for a call, but of his own accord came to me a few days after my arrival in Calcutta, and proffered a friendship which I hope will last a lifetime.
A meeting was called by the Chairman of the Anglo-Indian Club. A large number of the leading natives of Calcutta and the surrounding country responded. The objects of the Exhibition were fully explained to the meeting; a number of questions asked. A unanimous resolution was adopted that every assistance should be given to me to carry out my venture, and immediate steps taken to disseminate through even the most remote parts of the empire the objects of the International Exhibition.
The enthusiasm of the gentlemen present can best be realised when I say that one of the native maharajahs tendered to me a cheque for a lac of rupees (£10,000) in case I should be short of funds. At the instigation of the meeting I consented to deliver some lectures at the Hindu and Mahomedan colleges. These lectureswere translated into the various dialects of India and circulated broadcast throughout the country. This, and the assistance of the English as well as the native Press, created sufficient excitement amongst the people to cause a large influx at the opening. In a few weeks after that day small numbers of Indians came to see and report. Ere the first month was ended the curiosity began to spread far and wide, until at last the avenues leading to the Exhibition, and the Exhibition itself, were thronged with visitors eager to see the “Barra Bazaar.”
In order, if possible, to break through the impenetrable barrier of the zenana, the Sunday afternoon was set aside for the admission of “females.” All male attendants were removed, close screens erected round the entrance gates, and invitations issued to the leading natives in the city. Several thousands responded. The number nearly doubled on the second Sunday, after which I intimated thatMYcaste precluded Sabbath-breaking, so that in future, if “ladies” wished to see the Exhibition, they must come on week days with the men.
Although native women are not “visible,” they visit one another in the “zenanas,” and like all belonging to the fair sex, “TALK!” Those who had seen the Exhibition gave an amplified description of its wonders to their friends.Curiosityis a weakness of the sex, let the colour be what it will. In India, as it is elsewhere, women have a will of their own. They very soon persuaded their lords and masters that a thick muslin cloud might be used to hide their charms from the public gaze, without preventing them seeing the “show.” The end was that thesexes mixed in equal numbers. The revolution was complete. The women of India had conquered their liberty, and, as Lord Ripon publicly stated, I may claim to be their liberator. Wherever I visited native gentlemen, I was always asked to sit in the centre of the drawing-room, in order that the invisible ladies of the household might, through “peep holes,” have a look at the man to whom they owed their view of the Barra Bazaar.
In some instances native Princes purchased at a high figure the sole right of the Exhibition for a few hours, so that their wives or mothers might have a quiet, undisturbed ramble through it. So great came the demand for such a favour that in some instances their visits took place in the night, after the closing, and extended until near daylight.
As might be expected amongst people of high refinement—as most undeniably the upper class of Indians are—such small acts of courtesy on my part had a great influence. One and all of our distinguished visitors expressed their grateful thanks personally, and expressed a wish that I should, at the close of my labours in Calcutta, visit them in their respective provinces.