महाराणा कुम्भा (हरविलास सारदा - मेवाड़ साम्राज्य के अद्वितीय विजेता, निर्माता व विद्वान्)

Maharana Kumbha. xxvi Colonel James Tod's monumental work, The Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, published in 1829-32 A.D., was written at a time when the history of Rajputana was practically a sealed book to the public. A century has since passed, yet such are the intrinsic merits of "that wonderful work," that it still remains the chief source in the English language, to which a student of Rajput history has to turn for enlightenment and know- ledge. It is a book which should be read by every one who belongs to Rajputana or who has Rajput blood in his veins. It should be taught to the students of the Mayo College, Ajmer, and in schools in the Rajput States. Copies of it should be freely given as prize books. Rajputana has produced several remarkable men, who, by their character and achievements, have made the name Rajput, a synonym of chivalry and heroism, and the history of this province the brightest page in the history of Mediæval India. Their heroic lives and chivalrous deeds are a source of perennial inspiration and interest to Indians. My sincere obligations are due to Mahamahopadhyaya Pandit Gauri Shankar Ojha, whose unique knowledge of Indian History and vast collection of epigraphic finds have always been available to me. I have received most valuable assistance from him in preparing the Appendix. The illustration of Maharana Kumbha which appears as Frontispiece to this book is from a photographic copy of an old portrait taken away from Mewar and deposi- ted in the British Museum, London. AJMER, 1st October, 1932. HAR BILAS SARDA.