A service of twenty-six years in Rajputana, during the greater part of which circumstances have led me to take special interest in the promotion of Indian Art, has enabled me to examine the collections of most of the native princes, and especially their libraries, pictures, and portraits.

I have already published several works on the art treasures of the Chiefs: but it occurred to me that no work would be more interesting than one on themselves, in which it would be seen what manner of men they now are; and what their ancestors, who ruled or carved out States for them­ selves in the past, were. The ruling Princes in the Province have all most kindly made my scheme possible, by not only allowing me to copy their portraits, but by subscribing for copies of my work so liberally as to enable me to undertake the production of what would, otherwise, have been beyond the resources of a private individual.