Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, V. 2 of 3

Temples, court ceremonies and clan histories share the page in James Tod’s account of Rajasthan. The annals of Mewar examine religious institutions, festivals, customs and the influence of priesthoods. Comparisons with traditions from other regions show Tod trying to connect local practices with a wider history of belief. A personal narrative follows his route through places including Nathdwara, Jodhpur and Ajmer, recording buildings, inscriptions, encounters with rulers and the condition of the countryside.

The account of his return towards Udaipur brings its concerns into focus: fertile land strained by taxation, damaged residences and a ceremonial welcome shaped by an auspicious date. Descriptions of the city’s palaces, defensive heights and nearby memorials combine observation with judgments about revenue and government. Readers interested in Rajput history will find accounts of regional life alongside evidence of how a British political agent interpreted the people and places he encountered.