Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v3.c42.s2.t1.150.3

v3.c42.s2.t1.150.3

A smile would play over the features of the orbless politician when the envoy disclaimed all idea of its being a war of aggrandisement. To all such protestations he would say, “ Maharaja, I cannot doubt you believe what you say ; but remember what old Zalim tells you ; the day is not distant when only one emblem of power (*ekhi sikka*) will be recognized throughout India.” This was in A.D. 1817-18 ; and the ten years of life since granted to him must have well illustrated the truth of this remark ; for although no absolute conquest or incorporation of Rajput territory has taken place, our system of control, and the establishment of our monopoly within these limits (not then dreamed of by ourselves), has already verified in part his prediction. It were indeed idle to suppose that any protestations could have vanquished the arguments present to a mind which had pondered on every page of the history of our power ; which had witnessed its development from the battle of Plassey under Clive to Lake’s exploits at the altars of Alexander. He had seen throughout, that the fundamental rule which guides the Rajput prince, ‘ obtain land,’ was one both practically and theoretically understood by viceroys from [557] the west, who appeared to act upon the four grand political principles of the Rajput, *sham, dan, bed, dand* ; or, persuasion, gifts, stratagem, force ; by which, according to their great lawgiver, kingdoms are obtained and maintained, and all mundane affairs conducted.