Indian suffragettes on the Women’s Coronation Procession of 17 June 1911. The small Indian contingent was organised by Mrs Jane Fisher Unwin (the daughter of Richard Cobden). She and other representatives of the WSPU contacted Indian women living in the UK in the weeks leading up to the procession, whilst organising the decorations and the collection of subscriptions for the elephant banner that cost between £4 & £5. The India procession was part of the ‘Imperial Contingent’ and was intended to show the strength of support for women’s suffrage throughout the Empire. All corners of the empire were represented and divided into 6 sections – New Zealand, Australia, Canada, South Africa, India and Crown Colonies & Protectorates. Annie Besant also took part in the India procession.
I love the idea of an Imperial contingent of suffragettes, partially because New Zealand and Australia had solved the suffrage issue a decade or more before 1911. And solved it peacefully.
I am not surprised Annie Besant took part in the Indian procession – she was a human express train in India, Australia and everywhere else she went. Thanks for the link
Hels
“Annie Besant, Theosophy and Australian Women Artists”
I do too! And Besant was a fascinating character wasn’t she?
This is an image I am not sure I have ever seen in the context of British suffragettes. It is making all kinds of cogs rattle in my brain. Thank you, Evangeline.
You’re welcome! I did know that Princess Sophia Duleep Singh was an ardent suffragist of the period, but this photograph is an even greater boon. The cogs (and plot bunnies) are rattling in my brain as well!