PREFACE. V 



naturally doubt my veracity, and even 

 those who have visited that country only 

 of late years would imagine that my ac- 

 count was exaggerated, in as much as most 

 of the sporting which I have described, I 

 saw about 26 years ago and before that 

 period. 



In those days the Prince of Lucknow 

 and all the great Zemeendars of the coun- 

 try were much more opulent than at pre- 

 sent. No Zemeendars of consequence, 

 then, ever quitted their houses without a 

 retinue of at least a hundred or more per- 

 sons riding and running before them; some 

 carrying silver sticks, spears, guns, &c., 

 and others proclaiming their titles and 

 riches. When Heft India in 1809, the 

 same personages often appeared with a 

 single Harcarrah* or Peon^ carrying an 



* Harcarrah is an attendant on a gentleman, or person in 

 office, to go messages, carry letters, &c., and bears a spear ^ 

 or ornamented stick, 

 f Peon is also a servant to carry messages letters, &c., but 



