A NATIVE PRINCE OF INDIA, WITH HIS SONS.
"The largest of the native states is Gwalior, and its prince, Scindia, holds a very high rank. When he goes to Calcutta he receives marked attention from the Governor-general, and his privileges are greater than those of any other prince. Indore and Baroda have a form of Government similar to that of Gwalior, the resident having a force of troops to protect the British interests and maintain the authority of the prince. Rajpootana consists of eighteen native states, under as many rajahs, or princes; each of them has an English official near him, and the whole are under the orders of the British political agent, who resides at Ajmere. There is rarely any trouble between the native rulers and the political agents, as the former know very well that a revolt would be certain to cost them their power, and possibly their heads.
RECEPTION OF TRAVELLERS.
"These princes are fond of ceremony, and whenever a foreigner of distinction pays them a visit he has a special 'durbar,' or reception, in his honor. Frequently he is met at the frontier by a deputation of officials to escort him to the capital, and soon after his arrival the ceremony of attar and pan is performed. The guests are received by the prince; and as soon as the formalities of presentation are completed each guest receives a handkerchief of the finest muslin covered with delicate embroidery. This is placed on the palm of the recipient's open hand, and then the prince rises and pours attar of roses on the handkerchief, and at the same time throws a garland of jasmine flowers alternated with small pearls around the neck of the visitor. The ceremony is an ancient one, and was introduced by the Mogul conquerors of India centuries ago.
"The English understand this native love for display, and encourage it on many occasions. For example, when the Queen of England was proclaimed Empress of India there was a grand durbar at Delhi, which lasted twenty-one days, and cost an enormous amount of money. A great many native princes were invited to the festival, and so were all the foreign consuls in Calcutta and other cities of India; nearly half of the troops in India were gathered there, and not a day passed without a ceremonial of some kind or other."