Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/176

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168
LORD HASTINGS

be recollected that the neighbouring principality of Ságar was occupied by British troops; as a special concession, the detachment stationed there was allowed to take the place of a subsidiary force in Bhopál.

The districts ceded to British authority in the valley of the Narbadá (formerly under various native princes), were placed under the management of a Commissioner in 1818, with orders to disturb the customs which prevailed there as little as possible. Later, in 1827, Ságar was added to the province so formed, and under this administration, the revenues rose slightly from twenty-two lakhs of rupees in 1818, to twenty-six in 1839[1].

The settlement of Rájputána was quite as important as that of Málwá, for the predatory system had caused equally disastrous effects, and the perpetual strife it engendered, as well as the constant feuds which raged between the different factions in that locality, were fatal to public order. The pacification of this turbulent district was entrusted to Mr. Metcalfe, the Resident at Delhi, who was ably assisted by Captain Tod, and in 1819, on Metcalfe's appointment as Political Secretary, Sir D. Ochterlony discharged his difficult duties. The Resident was instructed to demand that the tributes which had been irregularly levied from the Rájput princes by Maráthá and Pathán chiefs, should for the future be paid to the Supreme Government, in return for which protection was to be given on the usual conditions, viz.

  1. Wilson, viii. 400.