Some of the highest of the Rajput Chiefs declined to attend, alleging as an excuse the distance of their capitals from Agra; but the truth is that these Rulers, the best blood of India, had never bowed their heads to any Power, not even that of the Moghul, and they considered it would be derogatory to their dignity to obey the summons of the representative of a sovereign, of whom they considered themselves the allies and not the mere feudatories.[6]

Those of the Chieftains attending this durbar who had shown conspicuous loyalty during the rebellion were not allowed to leave without receiving substantial rewards.  Sindhia had territory bestowed on him to the value of L30,000 a year.  Jaipur was given the confiscated property of Kot K[=a]sim, yielding L5,000 a year, while others were recompensed according to the importance of the services rendered.

[Footnote 1:  The depository for jewels and other valuables kept for presentation to Native Chiefs at durbars.]

[Footnote 2:  The following details will give some idea of the magnitude of the arrangements required for the Viceroy’s camp alone.  Besides those above mentioned there were 500 camels, 500 bullocks and 100 bullock carts for transport of camp equipage, 40 sowari (riding) elephants, 527 coolies to carry the glass windows belonging to the larger tents, 100 bhisties, and 40 sweepers for watering and keeping the centre street clean.  These were in addition to the private baggage animals, servants, and numberless riding and driving horses, for all of which space and shelter had to be provided.]

[Footnote 3:  Servants of the Lord of the Country, or Governor-General.]

[Footnote 4:  A few drops of attar of roses are given to each person, and a small packet of pan, which is composed of slices of betel-nut smeared with lime and wrapped in a leaf of the betel-tree.]

[Footnote 5:  The question of Native Rulers having the right to adopt heirs was first brought to Lord Canning’s notice by the three Phulkian chiefs—­Patiala, Jhind and Nabha—­who jointly requested in 1858 that the right of adoption might be accorded to them as a reward for the services they had rendered during the Mutiny.  The request was refused at the time on the ground that it had never been the custom of the country, though it had occasionally been done.  Since then, however, Lord Canning had come to see that the uncertainty which prevailed as to the rights of succession was harassing to the owners of land, and undesirable in many ways, and he urged upon the Secretary of State that some distinct rule on the subject might with advantage be laid down.  He wrote as follows:  ’The crown of England stands forth the unquestioned Ruler and paramount Power in all India, and is now for the first time brought face to face with its feudatories.  There is a reality in the suzerainty of the Sovereign of England which has never existed before, which is not only felt, but eagerly acknowledged by the Chiefs.