Dec 2, 2014

Suniti Devi, Maharani of Cooch Behar in 1902

Suniti Devi, Maharani of Cooch Behar in 1902

Suniti Devi, Maharani of Cooch Behar in 1902

Suniti Devi, Maharani of Cooch Behar (1864-1932) was the daughter of Keshub Chandra Sen – one of the leading lights of a westernising and rationalising movement within Hinduism.

In this image from 1902 the Maharani wears the gown of white satin (made by ‘a French milliner’) with 'Empire' wreath design embroidered in gold, ostrich feather fan, and tiara which she wore to the Coronation of King Edward VII on 9 August 1902.

She visited the Lafayette studio on at least three more occasions, in 1902, 1910 and 1921 when she had a series of portraits made, wearing the traditional Indian widow’s white and with her jewels removed, for her Autobiography of an Indian Princess.

Source: vam.ac.uk