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| THE EAST INDIAN BUILDING - This beautiful
structure stood near the northern terminal of the Intramural Railway,
and was erected at the expense of the British Government in
Hindostan, although the empire failed to arrange for an official
representative. Here the visitor saw the true Oriental idea of
ornamentation in architecture such as developed in the Golden Doorway
of the Transportation Building further southward on
the grounds, and
it cannot be denied that the Asian decoration was worthy of the
praise of its poets, nor should it be forgotten that golden doorways
are for tropical climates, and ill-fitted to the bitter blasts and
frosts of North America. The colors on the Indian Building were
striking and harmonious; the celebrated Taj Mahal at Agra having
served as an example to the builder. The structure was rectangular,
eighty by sixty feet, and its main room was surrounded with a gallery
in which goods were displayed. The main entrance was through a lofty
arch surmounted by minarets which also rose from the corners of the
edifice. Under the portal was a wide space, making a hemicycle
similar to the one at the south end of the Electricity Building. The
Indian Building, which cost $15,000, was built as a bazaar in which
Mr. S. J. Tellery, one of the leading East Indian traders, was to
carry on his trade under the patronage of the native rulers of
Hyderabad, Joodpoor, Patteeala, Kapoorthella, Mahoor, Jheend,
Kerowlee and Kutch. The building was redolent with sandalwood, and
the natives who served tea and waited on customers were handsome and
polite. |
