98 COL. T. HOLBEIN HENDLEY, C.I.E._, ON THE 



This struggle led to the invitation of the foe to interfere, and 

 not only to the ruin of the country, but to the death of the 

 innocent princess, who was compelled to take poison, though she 

 was not unavenged. A patriotic noble of Mewar cursed the 

 instigator of the deed, and foretold that no chief of Udaipur 

 should ever again have a son who would directly succeed 

 him. 



The late Sir Edward Arnold recited a beautiful ballad describ- 

 ing this sad history, in my own house, which was formerly the 

 residence of the minister of Jaipur, one of the states concerned 

 in the events which he eloquently narrated, and I would strongly 

 recommend all who are interested in the Eajputs to read his 

 •charming verses, as none can do so unmoved. 



Had time permitted I would have written of the wonderful 

 resemblances of many of the Eajput customs, practices, and 

 ceremonies to those of the ancient Semitic races and 

 particularly of the Jews, but failing this opportunity would 

 point to the suggestiveness of many of the portraits of Eajput 

 princes which I have brought for your inspection, which may 

 perhaps be considered of double interest in view of the little 

 that is known of the remote history and the date of the first 

 .appearance of the tribe in India. I think, moreover, that some 

 account of a living people which seems so allied in customs, 

 history, and in many other ways to the ancient Biblical nations 

 of Asia cannot fail to be of special interest, from many points 

 of view, to the members of this Society. 



In conclusion I will briefly recapitulate as the causes of the 

 long possession of power in the same regions of the Eajput 

 race : — A climate and physical conditions which were best 

 .suited to the growth and maintenance in strength of both 

 mind and body of a manly people, which could not have been 

 kept up, as the history of other inhabitants of India has 

 .shown, in the hot plains of the peninsula. The presence in 

 Eajputana of excellent situations and materials for building 

 forts and places of refuge, and above all numerous inaccessible 

 hills or deserts into which a secure retreat could be made in 

 case of severe pressure. The patriarchal and tribal system 

 which permitted of much personal freedom, while adequate 

 provision was made for cooperation and united action if 

 threatened by a foreign power. A common religion. Just and 

 well understood laws of succession. Benevolent treatment of 

 the commonality and competition for tenantry which the wide 

 •extent of land ensured. A patriarchal system of justice. A 

 fairly wide-spread toleration of the religion and customs of the 



