Chapter 8

Extraordinary attack of illness in the Author—Suspicion of
poison—Journey to Mandalgarh—The Karar—Tranquil state of
the country—The Minas subsiding into peaceful
subjects—Scenery in the route—Sasan, or ecclesiastical
lands—Castle of Amargarh—Kachaura—Its ancient
importance—Our true policy with regard to the feudatories
in these parts—Damnia—Manpura—Signs of reviving
prosperity—Arrival at Mandalgarh—The Dasahra—Sickness of
the party left behind—Assembly of the Bhumias and
Patels—Description of Mandalgarh—Rebuilt by one of the
Takshak race—Legend of Mandalgarh—Genealogical tablet of
stone—Pedigrees of the tribes—Mandalgarh granted to the
Rathors by Aurangzeb—Recovered by the Rana—Taxes
imposed—Lavish grants—Baghit—The Author rejoins his
party—Birslabas—Akola—Desolation of the
country—Inscriptions—Hamirgarh—Siyana—Superb
landscape—Mirage—Testimony of gratitude from the elders of
Pur—Thriving state of Marauli—Rasmi—Antiquities—Curious
law—Jasma—Waste country—Inscriptions—Copper
mines—Sanwar—Tribeni, or point of junction of three
rivers—Temple of Parsvanath—Deserted state of the
country—Karera—Maoli—Barren country—Hunting seat of
Nahra-Magra—Heights of Tus and Merta—End of second journey 1716

CHAPTER 9

The Author obliged to take a journey to Bundi—Cause of the
journey—Sudden death of the Rao Raja, who left his son to
the Author’s care—The cholera morbus, or _mari_—Its
ravages—Curious expedient to exclude it from Kotah and
Bundi—Bad weather—Death of the Author’s
elephant—Pahona—Bhilwara—Gratifying reception of the
Author—State of the town contrasted with its former
condition—Projects for its further improvement—Reflections
on its rise—Jahazpur—Difficulties of the road—Arrival at
Bundi—The aspect of the court—Interview with the young Rao
Raja—Attentions paid to the Author 1732

CHAPTER 10

Ceremony of Rajtilak, or inauguration—Personal qualities of
the Rao Raja and his brothers—The installation—The tilak
first made by the Author, as representative of the British
Government—Ceremonies—Message from the
queen-mother—Balwant Rao, of Gotra—The Bohra, or chief
minister—Power and disposition of these two
officers—Arrangements made by the Author—Interview and
conversation with the Rani—Literary and historical
researches of the Author—Revenues of Bundi—Its
prospects—Departure for Kotah—Condition of the junior
branches of the Haras—Rauta—Grand hunts in Haraoti 1740

CHAPTER 11

Pass of Mukunddarra—View from the summit of the pass into
Pachel—Marks set up by the Banjaras—Monastery of Atits, or
Jogis—Their savage aspect—The author elected a _chela_—The
head of the establishment—His legend of the origin of the
epithet Sesodia—The grand temple of Barolli—Conjecture as
to its founder—Barolli 1750