THE causes which led to the publication of this
work require some explanation, both because por-
tions of Ferishta have already appeared in English
and because the circumstances which gave rise to
the present translation did not originate in a desire
to supersede the former versions. Several years
ago Sir James Mackintosh, then President of the
Literary Society of Bombay, with that zeal for the
diffusion of knowledge which has ever marked his
character, urged me to translate the portion of
Ferishta's history which had not yet been touched
upon by Europeans. I promised to do so if, on
commencing the task, I found myself equal to it;
and I trust when this work meets his eye he will
think that I have fairly fulfilled my engagement.
My professional duties, for some time, prevented
my attending to his suggestion, though it was not
lost upon me;
for in less than one year a consider-
able part of one of the minor histories was trans-
lated; and in two more the task assigned me
was completed. During this interval I had com-