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.