Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/187

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
RECONSTRUCTION
179

graphically near his own provinces, belonged formerly to Bájí Ráo, to the Bhonsla, and to Holkar; in return, he yielded territory of less value, with the result that his dominions were consolidated and his frontiers more accurately defined.

The Gáekwár of Baroda had already received considerable advantages by the treaty of Poona, June, 1817, amounting to an increased revenue of about twenty-two lakhs of rupees[1]. After the war, an exchange of territory was effected and an increase of the subsidiary force (to be paid for by the native prince) was agreed to. Relations with Baroda were somewhat complicated by the fact that the British Government had for many years practically ruled there, on account of the imbecility of the Gáekwár Anand Ráo. This prince died in 1819, and was succeeded by his brother, Syájí Ráo, and it then became necessary to enter upon a new agreement with that state. Mr. Elphinstone, on becoming Governor of Bombay, accordingly proceeded to Baroda and concluded a treaty in 1820, by which the control so long exercised over the Gáekwár was practically maintained, although the latter was now granted an increase of power over the internal affairs of his principality which could not formerly have been allowed.

Such generally were the main lines of the reconstruction effected in Central India and in the South-West, after one of the most decisive wars undertaken by

  1. Wilson, viii. 401.