2-913-612 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Procession of the Sultan at the Festival of the Bairam, Constantinople, 1854. 'In Turkey, the long month's fast of Ramazan (the Mahomedan Lent), is succeeded by the Bairam, which presents three days of unmixed festivity...Before five o'clock the procession left the summer palace, and...the Sovereign listened to the sunrise prayer after the custom sanctioned by centuries of usage...[View of] the procession...to the Mosque of Achmet...The Sultan is preceded and followed by the Imperial Guards...At every row or file of Imperial Guards is an officer of the army, in short jacket, epaulettes, braided breast, and small cap, or fez. The streets are lined with troops in usual dress; the one here shown is the regiment of Artillery - the standard-bearer inclines his colours. Masses of spectators are seen everywhere-standing on every sort of available planks, seats, windows, or roofs'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.