Queen Elisabeth II visited India three times after its independence from British colonial rule.
The first one was in 1961 when Her Majesty and her husband Prince Phillip visited the country’s biggest cities like Bombay (now Mumbai), Chennai (now Madras) and Kolkata (now Calcutta) and the most important monument, the Taj Mahal.
In these pictures from Life Archive a glimpse on the impressive visit meeting thousands people and local authorities like Jawahartal Nehru, Indira Ghandi and President Rajendra Prasad
Arrival of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in India, 1961
Jawaharlal Nehru welcomes Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during their visit to India in 1961
View of Gardens at presidential Palace
Queen Elisabeth II with President of India Rajendra Prasad
Queen Elizabeth II riding in carriage with Indian President Dr. RajendraPrasad
Queen Elizabeth II riding on elephant sitting beside Maharaja in Jaipur.
Jawaharlal Nehru hosting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attending rally in their honor.
Queen Elizabeth II presented with a turbaned doll a Girl Guide gift to her son Prince Andrew.
Queen Elisabeth II addressing more than a quarter of million people in India.
Crowd greeting Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen Elizabeth II planting a tree at Gandhi Memorial.
Queen Elisabeth II and her husband Prince Phillip.
Photo credits Life Magazine via Rare Historical Photos