The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c10.271

Language: English

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**Umbrella :** The umbrella and the *cāmara* are represented very largely, but in no great variety. As insignia of royalty they were held in greater estimation than even the crown; and for goddesses, saints, and men of consequence, they are rarely forgotten. In Europe in the present day, the umbrella, though a highly useful article as a *parapluie* or a *parasol*, carries with it an idea of effeminacy. In ancient times *skiádeion* was held by Aristophanes as a lady's top, and the Romans assigned it to their gentle women, as an article befitting their delicacy. The Greeks, nevertheless, used it as a mystic symbol in some of their sacred festivals, and the Romans introduced the custom of hanging an umbrella in the basilican churches as a part of the insignia of office of the judge sitting in the basilica. It is said that "On the judgment hall being turned into a church, the umbrella remained, and in fact occupied the place of the canopy over thrones and the like", and Beatian, an Italian Herald, says "that a vermilion umbrella in a field argent symbolises dominion".¹²⁴ It is also believed that the cardinal's hat is a modification of the umbrella in the basilican churches. Among the ancient Egyptians, the umbrella carried with it a mark of distinction, and persons of quality alone could use it. The Assyrians reserved it for royal personages only.

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"The umbrella or parasol", says Layard, "that emblem of royalty so universally adopted by Eastern nations, was generally carried over the king in time of peace, and sometimes even in war. In shape it resembled very closely those now in common use; but it is always seen open in the sculptures. It was edged with tassels, and was usually ornamented at the top by a flower or some other ornament. On the later bas-reliefs a long piece of embroidered linen, or silk, falling from one side like a curtain appears to screen the king completely from the sun. The parasol was reserved exclusively for the monarch, and is never represented as borne over any other person".¹²⁵ The Moslim sovereigns of India were likewise very particular about the use of the umbrella by other than royal personages. But the Indians, like the Egyptians, were not so exclusive. They permitted the *chāttā* to be used by other than kings, though they entertained the idea that the right to bear an umbrella, belonged chiefly to persons of considerable distinction. The king is par excellence the *Chatrapati*, or "the Lord of the Umbrella", and the title is even now held in higher estimation than that of Rājā or Mahārājā. The king of Burmah is proud to call himself "the Lord of Twenty-four Umbrellas", and the Emperor of China carries that number of parasols even to his hunting field.

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The *Mahābhārata* makes frequent mention of the umbrella as a mark of royal dignity, and, in the *Dānadharma* section, enjoins the gift of white umbrellas having a hundred ribs, as a religious act calculated to ensure the donor long residence in the heaven of Indra, respected by gods, heavenly choristers and Brāhmaṇs.¹²⁶ Pāṇini mentions the *chatra*, and gives its derivation ( VI. 4.97 ), and the Smṛtikāras, both ancient and modern, all follow the *Mahābhārata* in praising the gift of the umbrella, as an act of great merit. According to the *Yuktikalpataru* umbrellas are of two kinds, special or royal, and ordinary. The latter is again of two kinds, according as it is handled—*sadaṇḍa*, or handleless—*nirdaṇḍa*.¹²⁷ The former was adapted to open [ **108** ] and shut at pleasure. Its principal parts were the stem, sliding frame, ribs, threads, cloth, and pin. The stem or handle, in a well-made umbrella, should be in the present age four cubits long, the sliding frame two spans, the ribs three cubits, and the cloth twice the length of the ribs. The pin, which supplies, the place of the modern spring to lock the sliding frame, is reckoned at eight fingers. These proportions, however, should, in the opinion of the author under notice, vary according to the rank of the owner. Rules are also given by him for royal umbrellas of various kinds. An umbrella with the stem and frame of choice wood, and of ribs of selected bamboo, and thread and cloth of a red colour, is good for kings.

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It is called *Prasāda*. The *Pratāpa* is made of a blue stem and cloth, with a golden top and hinge; it is the most appropriate for princes. If the stem and slide be made of sandal wood, and the threads and cloth be of a pure white colour, and the top be surmounted with a golden *kalasa* or knob, the umbrella would be most auspicious for kings. It is called *Kanakadaṇḍa*. The most important, however, was the one which was named *Navadaṇḍa*, and recommended to be used on great state occasions, such as coronations, royal marriages, &c. Its stem, sliding frame, ribs and lock pin, were made of pure gold; its cloth and strings of choice colour, and it was decorated with golden knobs, figures of ducks and cars, and fringes of thirty-two strings of pearls, each formed of thirty-two beads. Its top used to be surmounted with a pure white brilliant, and the lower end of the stem with a ruby and a carnelian, and its most appropriate appendage was a tassel of yak tail, one cubit long. The *Agni Purāṇa* (C. 224) does not enter into any great detail, but recommends other materials besides cloth for the construction of royal umbrellas. According to it, "it is conducive to the good of princes to have their umbrellas made of the feathers of geese, or of peacocks, or of parrots, or of herons (*vaka*) : but they should not be made of feathers of various kinds mixed together.

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The colour of the umbrella, when intended for the use of Kṣatriyas, should be white, and when for that of Brāhmaṇs, other than of that colour. Its handle should be made of a cane from three to eight joints in length". The *Bṛhat Saṃhitā* recommends the feathers of geese, fowl, peacocks, and cranes, (*sārasa*), as also new cloth, as the best materials for the covering of white umbrellas, the decorations to consist of pearl fringes, garlands and crystal mountings, the handle being of gold, six cubits long and divided into seven or nine sections, and the area one-half the length of the handle. For crown-princes, queens, generalissimos and chief judges, the haft should be reduced half a cubit, and the area to be two and a half cubits. For ordinary people, the umbrella may be of cloth or peacock's feathers, according to choice, the shape being square, and the handle rounded.¹²⁸ The Woodcut in the margin, No. 49, represents the only kind of *chātā* that has been met with in sculpture; it has two tassels of yak's tail for ornaments. The sliding frame is visible in some specimens, but not in so distinct a form as to enable one to make out its exact character. From Layard's drawings, it would seem that the Ninevite umbrella had a sliding frame.