Imre Kiralfy's Historical Spectacle of India

Programme and libretto for the evening performance of the 'Historical spectacle of India', with a map of the theatre. The event was part of the Empire of India Exhibition staged by Imre Kiralfy at Earl's Court in 1895. The programme consisted of a number of scenes taken from Indian history, viewed from a British perspective. The text of the programme cites a book called 'Tales From Indian History' which sums up the pre-colonial history of India in less than ten lines, and concludes: 'Finally the English have appeared on the scene and delivered the people of India from the oppression of anarchy, and established the reign of law and order'. Imre Kiralfy was a Hungarian showman who staged many international and imperial exhibitions in London, and established the White City exhibition showground in 1908.