This book is a rainbow of colours. It is a mirror that reflects the thoughts of the author who in his long and eventful life had the opportunity to explore many known and unknown places. His thirst for knowledge and interest in history led him to write about some defining moments of history, particularly the history of Mewar with an admining eye. Having found a pearl of wisdom in the books etc., he has read, the perceptive author shares his travel accounts and stray thoughts with discerning readers. It will be gratifying if readers find this book interesting and amusing.

Biographical Sketch of A.K. Derashri

Akshaya Kumar Derashri was bom on 07.05.1943 at Banera, Dist. Bhilwara (Raj). His parents were late Shn Ravi Shankar Derashni, Barrister-at-Law and Smt. Madhuri Derashri

1. He studied in Rajasthan College for his graduation from 1958 to 1960. He stood first among the graduates from Rajasthan College. Later he did his M.A. from Department of History, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur in 1962 and LL.B from University Law College, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur in 1964

2. On the basis of the LAS. etc. examination of 1964 he was appointed Appraiser of Customs on 18.12.1965. He worked in the Customs House Bombay, Customs Wing of Foreign Post Offices Jaipur and New Delhi. He was promoted Assistant Collector of Customs in The Indian Revenue Service in 1979. He worked in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) as an Inspecting Officer, Technical Officer and Senior Technical Officer. Later, he worked as The Departmental Representative before Customs, Central Excise and Gold Control Appellate Tribunal. He also worked as Joint Director (Fiscal Policy) in the Department of Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Finance. During his long career, he worked as Assistant Director, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence Bombay, Deputy Director, National Academy of Customs, New Delhi, Deputy Commissioner of Customs House, New Delhi, Deputy Narcotics Commissioner Kota, Director in the Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Additional Commissioner of Customs, Meerut and Jodhpur and Commissioner of Customs & Central Excise, Jaipur. He retired on 31.05.2003.

3. He participated in the management development programme organized by the National Institute of Financial Management, New Delhi. He attended the Direct Trainers’ skill programme organized by Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie. In 1993, he was he was sent for training to Banglick for a course on Customs Enforcement Techniques organized by the Customs Cooperation Council, Brussels. In 1999, he participated in a Workshop organized by the United Nations Drug Control Programme at Colombo

4. He was awarded an appreciation certificate by the Drug Enforcement Administration of the USA. for successfully organizing courses on Financial Investigation, Money Laundering and Enforcement.

5. On the occasion of the Republic Day 1993, he was awarded a certificate of Appreciation for his Distinguished record of service by the President of India

6. He was awarded, an honorary title of itihasagya by the Sahitya Mandal, Nathdwara’ in 2011.

7. Writings: His travelogues and articles on different subjects have been published in Nav Jyoti’, ‘Ran Bankura”, “Vaichariki, Bhavan’s Journal”, “Meerayan’ and ‘Indian Customs and Excise magazine.

8. Translated: He translated Chand Bardai’s ‘Bhagwati Stuti under the title, “Hymn to Goddess Bhagwali”.

9. Edited

I. ‘Correspondence of Renowned Historians with Pandit Ravi Shankar Derashri’

II. ‘Pandit Ravi Shankar Derashri-correspondence on Historical Research with Historians and Eminent Scholars’

III. Khetal Krit Chittor and ‘Udaipur-ki Ghazal’

IV. ‘Gunn Sobha Sagar’-‘Bakht Vilas’

V. ‘Jai Singh Khichi’

VI. ‘Gora Badal Charitra’ with Hindi and English translations

VII. ‘Mangal Geet Malika’-‘Garland of Auspicious Songs’

10. Life member: Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi

Address: ‘Ravi Kot’, P.O. Banera, Dist. Bhilwara (Rajasthan), Pincode-311-401