260 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [N.S., XV, 
18th century. And there is something very tantalizing in the 
way in which accident has deprived us of every written record 
of what was a living political organism less than 200 years ago, 
leaving no more than scattered references from which to recons- 
truct the story of these early kingdoms. Iam certain, however, 
that methodical research will disclose much further information 
in the light of which my view—that a system of devolution of 
authority based on the tribal origin of ‘the territorial sub-divi- 
sions in AR mgs ge: gee meg ae the period of Rajput 
tule—can be put to a final test. What I have written here is 
reading. What is needed is a careful study of the survivals in 
other parts of the country; and, more particularly, in the 
Native States none of which has, I believe, been yet examin 
from this point of view. My own efforts will be far more than 
repaid if _ I fear, rather inconsequent contribution to the 
annals o obscure locality stimulates enquiry into the 
mediaeval scat of the petty kingdoms in and around “ the 
country of the Thirty-six Forts. 
