In December 1912, Delhi was again the scene of a celebration, this time the state entry of the viceroy Viscount Hardinge into the new capital of the Indian empire. Once more “the whole of Delhi was radiant” and expectant. From the railway station the procession passed through the Lahore gate of the Mughals’ Red Fort and on through the city. Just before noon, however, as the viceregal elephant reached the Punjab National Bank in Chadni Chowk bazaar, there was an explosion. “I suddenly felt an upheaval and was thrown forward,” Lady Hardinge recalled. With icy calm the viceroy said: “I am afraid that was a bomb.”

A police inspector thought he heard shouts from the rooftop of the bank building. Turning his horse he saw yellow fumes coming from the back of the viceroy's howdah; one attendant was killed instantly and another was maimed. Although Hardinge ordered the procession to go ahead, after a few yards he lost consciousness and was taken by car to Viceregal Lodge. The parade then continued on to the reviewing stand, where Finance Member Sir Guy Fleetwood Wilson read the viceroy's speech. Lady Hardinge was unhurt. But shrapnel had struck the back of her husband's right shoulder and torn through the body, missing the lungs but exposing bone and muscle; nails had caused minor injuries to the neck and right hip. Next day the doctor reported that barring complications the fortunate viceroy should be able to work in a month.