Petrol just 30p a litre, but speeding could cost Rs 100

Remember the days when phone calls were made with an eye on the watch? The third minute used to be the cue to wind up a local call. A century ago, visitors to the Coronation Durbar of George V did much the same thing while making phone calls from post offices. The only difference then was that a threeminute call cost 4 annas (25 paise) against Rs 1.2 now.

Of course, 4 annas was a big deal in those days when an (imperial) gallon of petrol cost a rupee and 6 annas, or just over 30 paise a litre. That was the government's contract rate with Burma Oil Co for the entire duration of the Durbar.

While petrol was cheap, drivers had to be careful as the police were strict and the penalties steep. For the first instance of reckless driving, you could be fined Rs 100, and subsequent offences were compounded at Rs 200. The fines for other offences, such as speeding, were Rs 50 for the first instance and Rs 100 thereafter.

The speed limit? Just 12 miles per hour (19 kmph).

Fresh whole milk that was sold by weight was a little more expensive, but nothing like the Rs 37 a litre that you pay today. Milk from the military dairy specially established for the Durbar cost 2 annas and 6 paise per pound (454 grams), approximately 40 paise per litre. Cream cost Re 1 per pound while fresh table butter could be bought for Rs 1.25 per pound, which is the same as Rs 1.37 per 500g. Today, a half-kilo brick of butter will set you back Rs 147.

These prices are all the more remarkable because they were fixed for a celebration in a makeshift tent city. If you've ever bought a burger and cola in a stadium, you will appreciate this: refreshment coupons for the Durbar were sold in a booklet worth Rs 5, and refunds on unused coupons were given till December 21 - a week after all cultural and sporting activities had ceased. Who gives a refund nowadays?

Priced at Re 1, the admission ticket to the archaeological exhibition in Red Fort would seem prohibitive, but the show was meant only for the elite. Other than that, going sightseeing or attending the games did not cost much. Ekkas were the cheapest and lowest class of personal transport and cost Re 1 per hour.

If even that was too much, you could travel ordinary class in the broad gauge trains for 4 annas per trip. Return trips in the Durbar Railways' upper class were also relatively affordable at Rs 4. However, trips in first-class horse carriages were fairly expensive - Rs 5 per hour or Rs 40 for a day.

At the polo grounds, tickets to the Durbar polo, hockey and football tournaments were affordably priced. While entry to the ordinary enclosures was free up to the semi-finals, 8 annas was the charge for finals. In the elite Enclosure A, a membership ticket entitling the holder to watch every sport and match cost Rs 30 for men, and Rs 15 for women. It came with the added perk of three free tea tickets.