Colonial and Indian Exhibition

For colonial exhibitions in general, see Colonial exhibition.

Opening of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, 1886

The Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886 was a very substantial exhibition held in South Kensington in London, and intended (in the words of the then Prince of Wales) "to stimulate commerce and strengthen the bonds of union now existing in every portion of her Majesty's Empire". The exhibition was opened by Queen Victoria, and when it closed had received 5.5 million visitors.

It was housed in a collection of purpose-built buildings designed in an Indian style.

Display

Linen map of the British Empire that was sold at the Exhibition

Exhibits shown included a Māori tomb from New Zealand, a ceremonial sword from the colony of Lagos, a grasshopper swatter from the Straits Settlements, and Albert Bierstadt's painting of the Bahama Islands After A Norther was displayed in the West Indian gallery, and admired by the Prince of Wales

The India artware section was split into different areas representing the different princely states. The Rajputana entrance was a large Jaipur gate constructed of and provided by the then Maharaja of Jaipur.

Several dozen Indians were imported, reputedly from Agra jail, to serve as living exhibits; they were described as artisans, it appears that they were trained in their crafts as part of the British Empire's long-term project to 'reform the criminal castes'.

Legacy

The Jaipur Gate built for the exhibition was renovated in 2004, and is on display at the Hove Museum and Art Gallery

External links

• Photograph of a Maori tomb on display at the exhibition
• Illustration of the Jaipur Gate at the time of the exhibition
• The British Museum collection database - enter "The Colonial and Indian Exhibition" for a list of objects from the exhibition in the British Museum collection