Page:The Aristocracy of Southern India.djvu/146

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
104
The Aristocracy of Southern India.

is deeply imbued with noble principles; he has always been a firm friend of popular freedom, and has earned an honorable reputation as the patron of those movements that are calculated to do good to the public at large and as the helper of the suffering and the deserving. To be one of the chosen men of the people and most respected encouragers of young India, and the generous host and princely entertainer of viceroys and governors indicates a nature of wonderful breadth of mind and nobility of sentiment.

As an illustration of the broad nature of the Rajah Sahib's sympathy, it may be interesting to note that in addition to the numerous educational institutions, to which he has given his support, he has more or less actively identified himself with many charitable institutions. Every lineament of his face appears to bespeak generosity of heart, rectitude of principle, and innocence of soul. He is not influenced by the narrow and jaundiced views of superstition and bigotry. The advantages of education and high principles have rendered him the friend of his district, the pride of his race and the glory of his age. It is a great pity that a prince of such brilliant qualifications, one who has proved himself by his deeds and advanced ideas that he is above the average run of the princes of Southern India, has not yet received any due recognition of his merits. If the Government of India be pleased to confer the title of 'Maharajah' and the honor of a knighthood on him, such a distinction will be but a just reward for the eminent services he has rendered both to his subjects and to the public at large.