The Mayo College “The Eton of India”. a Record of Twenty Years 1875-1895

Columns 6 and 7 shew the numbers of the ruling races in the several States and their proportion to the rest of the population. [...] The principle is recognised that the State belongs more to the family than the particular ruling chief and in case of maladministration the severest step that is ever taken is the deposition of the ruler and the installation of a successor generally his next-of-kin. [...] On the day of the ceremony the chief Brahmans assemble in the fort to invoke the deity for a blessing on the proceedings. [...] The death ceremonies are as follows :- At the point of death the body is taken off the bed and put on the ground and at the very moment the soul is passing the attendant priest marks the forehead shoulders and throat with tilaks of sandal-wood paste. [...] As a sign that the election was voluntary and not forced by conquest the inauguration of the chiefs of Bikanir is not complete until they have receil el the tika of sovereignty from the hands of a descendant of the primitive Jits.30 THE MAYO COLLEGE.