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Diamond Jubilee, Bombay-1946-03-10

Date: 
Sunday, 1946, March 10
Location: 

Brabourne Stadium

1946-03-10-times-of-india.jpg

At a quarter past five on the afternoon of Sunday, March 10, 1946, a deep hush fell upon the Brabourne Stadium in Bombay. Here over 100,000 people, from various parts of the world., had come to witness one of those magnificent ceremonies which arouse wonder and amazement in the minds of men. It was on this day, and at this hour, that His Highness the Aga Khan was to be weighed in diamonds to celebrate the sixtieth year of his Imamate. Seldom before can Bombay, even in its pageantry and glory, have looked upon such pompous ceremonies, such splendour and colour. Vast congregations of people lined the routes and filled the great stands surrounding the central platform and figure.

The flags waved and the colours of His Highness -green and red-draped the buildings. For hours before the event the procession passed through the streets of Bombay to the Stadium to await the arrival, first of all, of the high notabilities and personalities who had come to pay homage and to look upon the magnificent spectacle, and then at 5.15 the Aga Khan with his retinue preceded by Her Highness the Begum, wearng a 45,000 pound diamond studded sari, gems glittering in the gorgeous sunlight, strode into the Arena, mounted the platform and took his place.

One by one the caskets of diamonds were raised on high and shown to the public, then placed on the scales. The scales tipped when 243-1/2 lbs. weight of diamonds were so placed. These diamonds were worth hundreds of thousands of pounds-a gift to His Highness from his many followers in India. His Highness received the gift and in his turn returned it, adding his blessing and his advice that the large sum of money should be used for the betterment of his followers.

Later that night, a magnificent display of fireworks was given at the sea-front.


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