Chapter I: Introduction

The favour with which my former Indian tales have been received has induced me to write another, in illustration of one of the most important epochs in the history of the Dekhan. The character of the noble Queen Chand Beebee is still popular in the country; and her memory is reverenced, not only as the preserver of Beejapoor, but for the heroic resistance she made to the Moghul armies in their first invasion of the Dekhan and siege of Ahmednugger. The whole circumstances relating to the Queen, upon which this tale has been founded, are detailed in the history of Mahomed Kasim Ferishta, and can be read and verified in the translation of that work by the late Major-General Briggs.

MEADOWS TAYLOR.

OLD COURT, HAROLD'S CROSS, CO. DUBLIN.
_August 27, 1875._

CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

_BOOK I._
CHAPTER PAGE
I. THE CATARACT OF THE KRISHNA 1
II. "A NIGHT'S VIGIL" 25
III. THE PRIESTS OF MOODGUL 44
IV. AN INSULT AND ITS CONSEQUENCES 54
V. A NEW ARRIVAL 80
VI. THE STORM AND THE FLOOD 97
VII. CONFIDENCES AND FAREWELLS 119
VIII. MÁMA LUTEEFA PROPHESIES 138
IX. TREACHERY 156
X. HOW THE NIGHT PASSED 175
XI. SAVED 188

_BOOK II._
CHAPTER PAGE
I. BEEJAPOOR. 200
II. A RETROSPECT 222
III. THE EVENTS OF A DAY 237
IV. THE EVENTS OF A DAY--_continued_ 251
V. THE ORDEAL 265
VI. THE COMBAT 286

Errata.
At page 81, vol. i., line 4, _for_ Hoosein-bee _read_ Mamoolla.
" 176, " " 4, _for_ Hoosein-bee _read_ Mamoolla.
" 176, " " 17, _for_ Hoosein-bee _read_ Mamoolla.
" 177, " " 6, _for_ Hoosein-bee _read_ Mamoolla.
" 181, " " 11, _for_ Hoosein-bee _read_ Mamoolla.
" 199, " " 4, _for_ Hoosein-bee _read_ Mamoolla.
" 201, " " 8, _for_ corn _read_ cover.

A NOBLE QUEEN.