Page:An Historical Sketch of the Native States of India.djvu/159

Rh There he died on May 21, 1826. Meanwhile the old Rájá, Sáiwant Singh, who had virtually abdicated in favour of the Kour about twenty years before, resumed office; but before his son’s death he pardoned him and petitioned the British Government for his release. His prayer would have been complied with but he had paid the debt of nature before the sanction of the British Govern- ment could be acted upon.

The infirm state of the Rájá prevented his paying to the affairs of state the attention which they required. Consequently they fell into disorder. The confusion was increased by the carelessness of the Bhils, Thugs, and other maranding and murdering classes. By British in— tervention, however, a successful blow was struck at their depredations.

The only grandson of Rájá Sáiwant Singh, Dalpat Singh, had been adopted, in 1825. into the Dongarpúr family. When, therefore, Sáwant Singh died, in 1844, he left according to the strict Hindú law, no real heir. It was arranged, however, as I have stated in the account of Dongarpúr, after some discussion, that Dalpat Singh should succeed his natural grandfather at Partábgarh, and act also as regent for Dongarpúr during the minority of a newly-adopted ruler to that state. At the end of eight years this arrangement was found so inconvenient that; Dalpat Singh thence forth confined himself to Partábgarh.

The Rájá of Partábgarh has been granted the right of adoption. He is entitled to a salute of fifteen guns.