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Rh banner, on such public occasions as the Imperial Assemblage at Delhi, on the Proclamation of Her Most Gracious Majesty as Empress of India a copy has been given in this work in the actual form used, without regard to the question of its being duly authorised by the College of Arms, or of its being in accordance with the laws of European- heraldry. It is hoped that in a future edition this laxity will not be necessary, and that steps will in the meantime have been taken to regulate the devolution of ancient cognisances, and the assumption of new ones. It is stated that some of the Feudatory States have placed coats of arms on the postage stamps in use within their limits; and it is quite clear that the use of such emblems is rapidly becoming common.

In the case of all those Chiefs whose banners were displayed at the Imperial Assemblage of 1st January 1877, i.e all the Chiefs of highest rank the emblems then used were used "by authority"; and copies of some of them have been obtained for this work. The editor will be glad to be favoured with copies of others, sent through Messrs. Macmillan and Co.; and will give his best consideration to them, though he must not be taken to pledge himself to the insertion of any.

The Warrant conferring (or authorising the hereditary succession to) a title is called a sanad—sometimes spelt "sunnud." It is signed, on behalf of Her Majesty the Empress, by His Excellency the Viceroy; and bears the Official Seal of the Empire.

It is usual though there appears to be no invariable rule—for the local representative of Her Majesty, on the occasion of the installation or succession of a Chief or Noble, to present him with a khilat, and receive from him a nazar in return. "Khilat" literally means "a Dress of Honour." It usually consists of pieces of cloth not made up; but sometimes it consists of arms, jewels, or other valuables, without any article of attire, although in most cases a turban and shawl form part of the gift. Indeed, a complete khilat may include arms, or a horse, or an elephant, or all of these together. The nazar (sometimes spelt nuzzur) must be of corresponding value to the khilat.

In the case of a Mahárájá Bahádur, or other noble of that rank, the khilat and sanad are presented, in full Darbár, by the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, or other Chief Civil Officer of the Province; or if they are unable to be present, by the Commissioner of the Division at the sudder-station (or capital).

To the Darbár are invited all the civil and military officers available, also all the Indian notables and gentry of the neighbourhood.

The chair of the Presiding Officer is placed in the middle, and that of the nobleman to be installed on his right. The brother, son, and any of the