The essay which I am about to read should be taken as a continuation of a speech delivered by me before the Royal Geographical Society in February 1882, regarding the ‘birth-place and cradle of Mahratta power.’ The subject of the speech was in a great degree geographical, and the intention was to show how history is affected by geography. The subject of this essay is an analysis of human character as exhibited in vast spheres of action. Nevertheless, for a due understanding of the men it is necessary to bear the geography in mind, for the significance of the events cannot be apprehended without a general idea of the physical surroundings.