Grand Vestibule: The British Monarchy and the World
The Grand Vestibule at Windsor Castle reflects interaction between the monarchy and the wider world
Crown of the Emperor Bahadur Shah II
second quarter 19th centuryRCIN 67236
In the aftermath of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Bahadur Shah (1775–1862), nominally the last Mughal emperor and King of Delhi, was deposed and exiled to Burma. Jewels and valuable relics from his court were taken and subsequently auctioned in Delhi.
This crown was bought by Major Robert Tytler (1818–72) of the 38th Regiment of Native Infantry (Bengal), who had taken part in the Siege of Delhi. When he returned to England in 1860, Tytler offered the piece to Queen Victoria. Sir Charles Wood, Secretary of State for India, wrote from the India Office, describing Tytler’s relics, including ‘a very rich skull-cap worn on the head of the Emperor, & round the lower part of which the turban was wound - & in the turban jewels were placed.’ Sir Charles recorded that there was ‘no doubt of its being what the Emperor actually wore’. The crown and two throne chairs were subsequently purchased by Queen Victoria.
Purchased by Queen Victoria, 1861.
