Rolls-Royces of the Raj: Vast Wealth Reflected in Automobiles
Between 1907 and 1947-the year of India’s independence as a nation and the end of the absolute power of the princely states-a total of 36,000 Rolls-Royces were produced in Great Britain; about 1,000 were exported to India. In 1908 a six-cylinder Rolls-Royce christened the Pearl of the East won first prize at the Bombay Motor Show. The car went on to win the grueling 620-mile Bombay to Kolhapur rally and was later bought by Maharaja Scindia of Gwalior.
Rolls-Royces of the Raj: Vast Wealth Reflected in Automobiles
Rolls-Royces of the Raj: Vast Wealth Reflected in Automobiles
The wealth of the Indian princes of days gone by is legendry. The maharajas chose to display their wealth in terms of fabulous palaces, enormous feasts, and collections of jewels and gold. Then, in the 20th century, many turned to that modern symbol of wealth and superior craftsmanship, the Rolls-Royce.
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