Imperial Pageant, Women's Coronation Procession

The Women's Coronation procession was organised by 28 suffrage societies, including the Women's Social and Political Union. Held on 17 June 1911, a week before the royal coronation of George V, it aimed to enlist the support of the new King in getting the Conciliation Bill in favour of female suffrage through parliament.
The small Indian contingent within the procession 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, organised the decorations and the collection of subscriptions for the elephant banner that cost between £4 and £5. The India procession was part of the 'Imperial Contingent' and intended to show the strength of support for women's suffrage throughout the Empire. To the left of the banner is Lolita Roy, dressed in white. Lolita moved from India to Hammersmith, London with her children in 1901. A supporter of female suffrage in India she became President of the London Indian Union Society. One of young women in the image is Lolita's daughter, Mrs. Leilavati Mukerjea. On the far left, holding the elephant symbol is Mrs Bhagwati Bhola Nauth.
Sushama Sen, the Indian politician also took part in the procession and, later recalled 'In those days there were few Indian women in London. [WSPU] Hearing of me they sent me an invitation to join their demonstration at Piccadilly Circus, and to march with them led by Mrs Pankhurst to the Parliament House... It was a great experience for me, at the same time it was a novel sight for a single Indian woman amidst the procession, and I was the subject of public gaze'.
All corners of the empire were represented and divided into 6 sections - New Zealand, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Crown Colonies and Protectorates and India. Annie Besant also took part in the India procession.