At 08:13  26/02/04 -0800, you wrote: > I read a few books at the asiatic library in bombay . >Here you find old and rare books. The books I read are >old and out of print. I am giving my review > >1)Bhonsle of nagpur and east india company-- >  This gives the detailed history of the biggest >princely state in india till 1857. I am amazed how >little we know of this kingdom of 70,000 sq miles, >almost as large as hyderabad. Details of various >rulers and their campaings is given . But the best >part is that every aspect such as economy, town >planning , commerce trade, land revenue every detail >is covered in this book . Had this state survived it >would have easily dwarfed hyderabad. sadly this el >dorado was lost in 1857. On scale of 10 , give this >book 8. > >2)Sayajirao of baroda- by fatehsinghrao gaekwad. >I expected this book to be biased as it was written by >his great grandson but it is not so. Mr Geakwad has >been very neutral . This book covered sayaji's pubilc >life from childhood till his death . His personal life >is just peppered in. He was am extraordinary man who >did good thing for his people . How he accomplished >this in face of strong opposition from british is crux >of the book. >         What is amazing is the this book tears to >shreds the claim that princes were stooges of the >british. This great ruler almost came on verge of >being desposed by the british for "Sedition" . His >personal life was very tragic . All his sons died very >young and despite his efforts turned out to be >wastrels . His daughter too was widowed at young age >of 30 . His first wife died young . >     On the whole an excellent book and must read for >all . I wish his personal life could have been in a >little more detail. I give this 9 out of 10. > > >:more reviews later > Dear Akshay, Thank you for your reviews. I look forward to more in due course. Please also review Hansdev Patels, "Royal Families and Palaces of Gujarat", it sounds quite interesting as well. Cheers, Henry