Albert Edward's tour aimed to strengthen ties between the two countries

First steps in India

Prince of Wales presentation medal for his tour of India 1875-76 ©
On 8 November, after nearly a month at sea, the Prince of Wales arrived at the port of Colaba, Bombay (modern-day Mumbai). To mark the Prince’s arrival in India, guns were simultaneously fired in a royal salute in major cities across the Indian subcontinent. In Bombay, the Prince hosted his first reception for the Indian rulers. Here he adopted Indian court customs such as offering paan (shavings of betel-nut, various seeds and spices, and lime-paste wrapped in a betel-leaf) and attar (perfume) to welcome them.
An important aspect of Indian diplomacy was an exchange of gifts. The Prince presented commemorative gold and silver medals, bracelets, rings, lockets and watches commissioned from the crown jeweller, Garrard and Co., and presentation rifles, swords and daggers from Purdey and Sons and the Wilkinson Sword Company. Illustrated books such as Joseph Nash’s Views of the Interior and Exterior of Windsor Castle and portrait prints of the Prince and Princess of Wales and Queen Victoria were also presented as gifts to the Indian rulers. In return, the Prince received gifts linked with Indian court traditions, many of which displayed craftsmanship that was much admired in England.
During the Prince’s first month on the Indian subcontinent he also visited Poona and Baroda (Pune and Vadodara).
Sydney Prior Hall (1842-1922)
Landing at the Dockyard, Bombay, 8 November 1875
Bourne & Shepherd (active 1864-1900s)
Arrival of the Prince of Wales at Bombay, India 9 November 1875
William Simpson (1823-99)
State reception of native princes by the Prince of Wales at Parell, Bombay
Indian
Plate
Indian
Plate
Indian
Tazza
Indian
Spice box
Indian
Tray
Indian
Pan-Dan
Indian
Spice box
Indian
Spice box
Indian
Perfume holder
Iran and Sindh (Indian)
Sword and scabbard
Udaipur [Indian]
Turban ornament
Indian
Pair of rosewater sprinklers
Sydney Prior Hall (1842-1922)
State elephants at Baroda
Bourne & Shepherd (active 1864-1900s)
Sayaji Rao III, Gaekwar of Baroda (1875-1938)
Indian School