commanded peace throughout the continent, a peace which, with the single exception of the Mutiny, has remained unbroken for forty-five years. The Rájás and Nawábs who happened to be in possession when the English enforced their supremacy were confirmed in their rights.
Beati possidentes. Whatever may have been the method of acquisition, it was not for the English to question the divine right of conquest, or to deny that the sword was a valid title to inheritance. Thus it has happened that the Native Feudatory States of the present day can be roughly divided into two widely different classes, the first, respectable by antiquity and strong in the traditional loyalty of the people, the second, newer than the English Government itself and their origin the same — the violent disintegration of the Muhammadan Empire. Should the day ever come, as come it may, for time and change wait for all, when the English, weary of the burthen of rule, retire from India, the old Hindu principalities will survive the ensuing storm, as the mud-built villages with their mango groves are seen in times of flood high above the inundated country. But the new families whose birth was in war and plunder, who are alien in blood and race and creed to the people over whom they too often oppressively rule, and whose roots are not deep in the soil, will have to take their chance and fight again for their lands, as did the Sindhias and Holkars and Gáikwárs from whom they claim.
