An Historical Sketch of The Native States of India (In Subsidiary Alliance with The British Government)

First published in 1875 the book is a condensed historical sketch of the native dynasties reigning in India at the time. For a task so extensive the author was fortunate to have been previously engaged in the study of Native States and also have in his library all the authorities necessary for the purpose including Colonel Todd's Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, Captain Duff's History of the Mahrattas, Aitchison's invaluable collection Treaties, Engagements and Sunnuds, Elphinstone's History of India to Ferishta's History of the Dekkan, besides numerous journals, and friends like Runga Charlu, Controller to the household of the Maharaja of Mysore and others.

Colonel G.B. Maleson (1825-98) was an English officer in India. His last appointment was that of guardian to the young Maharaja of Mysore. He retired with the rank of colonel in 1877. A prolific writer, his important works include the famous Red Pamphlet published from Calcutta in 1857 when the Sepoy Mutiny was at its height. He also rewrote the History of Indian Mutiny (1857-8) which was begun but left unfinished by Sir John Kaye, and the most valuable History of the French in India (1893) and The Decisive Battles of India (1888).

THE WANT of a condensed historical sketch of the Native dynasties now reigning in India has been felt alike in that country and in England. Proposals to supply the want have from time to time been mooted. Had .any of these been carried to their legitimate conclusion, the present publication would never have seen the light.

It happened, however, that information reached me in the course of last year that the labours in the same direction of a gentleman most competent to do justice to the subject had been indefinitely postponed. I had just then completed a literary work on which I had for some time been engaged, and the desire to supply a great public want induced me to take up the dropped thread.

Indian subjects had long been familiar to me, and the history of several important Native States had previously engaged my study and attention. I should, nevertheless, have felt myself unequal to the task of conducting to completion a work so extensive, had I not possessed in my library all the authorities necessary for the purpose. I made a diligent use of the materials thus at my disposal, and gave my undivided time and attention to the subject. The work is now completed. If it should fail to fulfil the expectations of those who have felt the want of such a book of reference, I can assure them that I have grudged no toil, and, dependent entirely as I was on my own exertions, have spared no pains to bring it as nearly as possible to the required standard.