Page:The Imperial Gazetteer of India - Volume 2 (2nd edition).pdf/173

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BARODA.

163

accept of an annual tribute of 4 lakhs of rupees (_;^4o,ooo) in lieu of all Gdekwar was released from the payment of even this

claims, but the

small tribute on the overthrow of the Peshwa.

In 1817, a treaty was concluded for an increase of the subsidiary the cession to the British Government (for the payment of

force,

the additional force) of

the so-called

the consolidation of the

of the

all

the rights the

Ahmadabad farm on

of the

territories

Gaekwar by exchange of

Gaekwar had acquired by

the Peshwa’s territories in Guzerat,

certain

British

Government and the co-operation

Districts,

of the Gaekwar’s troops with those of the British

Government

in

time of war, an engagement by the Gaekwar to maintain a contingent horse at the disposal of the British Government, and the Anand Rao Gaekwar died in 1819, mutual surrender of criminals. and was succeeded by his younger brother, Syaji Rao, who in 1820 entered into a further convention with the British, whereby he agreed to send no troops into Kathiawar and Mahi Kantha, and to make no demands on his tributaries except through the medium of the British Government, who on their part engaged to procure payment of the tribute free of expense to the Gaekwar. In 1847, Syaji Rao died, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Ganpat Rao, who, dying without male issue in 1856, was succeeded by his brother, Khandi Rao. During the Mutiny of 1857-58, Khandi Rao Gaekwar of 3000

rendered for

his

faithful service to

loyalty,

the

remitted, for which the Gaekwar’s

tenance of a body of cavalry

He

3

Government

and

as a reward

lakhs of rupees per

annum was

the British

payment of

Government was

known

as

liable for the

main-

the Guzerat Irregular Horse.

was also created G.C.S.I. in 1862.

Khandi Rao died on the 28th November 1870, leaving no though

his

younger

wife,

Jamnabai, was

at

son,

the time of his death

The next heir to the throne was Khandi Rao’s younger Malhar Rao, who had been accused, in 1863, of being concerned in a conspiracy to compass the death of his brother, Khandi Rao, by poison or other means, and was in consequence confined as a State prisoner at Padra, in Baroda territory. On the death of Khandi Rao, Malhar Rao was installed as his successor, on the understanding that if Jamnabai were delivered of a son, the child should be recognised The posthumous child being a girl, Malhar Rao retained as Gaekwar. Malhar Rao’s rule, however, was such, that within three his position. years after his installation, the British Government was obliged to appoint a Commission to inquire into numerous charges of maladministration preferred against him through the Resident at Baroda. On consideration of the report submitted by the Commission, the Government of India decided on giving the Gaekwar a term of seventeen months for effecting enceinte.

brother,

certain reforms described in the report as specially called for.