PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS

Page 73 – THE EAST INDIA BUILDING

THE EAST INDIA BUILDING.—Through the result of private enterprise instead of being strictly a governmental affair, the East India Building was representative, both as to exterior and contents, and was counted one of the most graceful of its group. It was eighty feet long, sixty feet wide and sixty feet in height, and had one large room surrounded by a gallery, the whole lighted by an extensive skylight. The structure was almost entirely of staff and though built for a foreign company, the design was by local architects. The cost of the structure was $15,000 borne by the company mentioned, one desirous of making certain teas grown in India popular in this country The style of architecture adopted was East Indian, and some of the features of the famous Taj Mahal were reproduced, the staff affording special facilities for such an attempt. The building was entered through a tall arched gateway surmounted by four minarets and profusely ornamented with an arabesque design. On either side were arcades lavishly decorated with relief work. A parapet with corner minarets surrounded the roof the panels of which were also decorated. The effect was heightened by lavish coloring, applied with admirable taste. The interior was so crowded with Indian goods that but little of the walls remained exposed to view, the exhibits, for sale, of wares of gold, silver, copper and ivory, curios and Indian fabrics being numerous and costly. The tea was served by natives in costume. Private enterprise though it was, the East Indian Building was not discreditable to the ancient country represented.

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