Page:Grammar of Urdu or Hindustani.pdf/13



I OFFER no apology for adding one more to the list of Urdū Grammars, if the book does not justify its publication, no excuse will avail me.

Urdū or Hindūstānī Grammar has been developed and reduced to a system by Englishmen, or under their supervision. From Gilchrist to Shakespear, and from Shakespear to Yates, Arnot, and Forbes, each new Grammar has thrown new light upon the language, and has lightened the labour of learning it. Excellent as is the Grammar of Forbes, both teachers and learners have long since discovered its deficiencies. The Grammar of Professor Monier Williams made a great step in advance ; and the author of book fully admits his obligations to it, for the help it has given him as a teacher, and for the assistance it has afforded in the preparation of this work. But Professor Williams's Grammar is printed entirely in the Roman character, and so is unfitted for the use of young officials who