PREFACE xi
looking over my text with special regard to the needs of the general reader. Nor ought I to omit mention of the excellent work of Messrs. Henry Stone and Son, Banbury, on the colour plates, which affords a guarantee for the faithfulness of these reproductions.
For the last thirty years the tasks entailed by the results of my explorations have imposed upon me prolonged periods of desk work in civilization, more exacting to me in some ways than efforts in the field. That most of this work could be done under the sheltering care and with the constant encouragement of those kindest of friends under whose ever hospitable roof I now write is a boon for which I cannot feel too grateful.
AUREL STEIN.
AT THE PRESIDENT'S LODGINGS,
CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE, OXFORD. September i8, 1932.
IIIF Color HighRes
