New Delhi, Nov. 14 -- In the mid-19th century, there ruled in Jaipur a man called Ram Singh II (1833-80). He was a prince of many talents. Photography, for instance, interested him, and he would leave behind a heap of fascinating images, including the occasional naughty picture. Religion was another passion, though a somewhat unsavoury one-having become a staunch Saivite, the maharaja declared Vaishnava practices suspect and proceeded to persecute its votaries. But his favourite pastime was hoodwinking his overlords. Jaipur's treaty with the Raj required it to submit a portion of all revenues over Rs.4 million to the colonial power.

When Ram Singh's request to rescind this stipulation was denied, he simply began evading the surplus tribu...