Page:Sir Henry Lawrence, the Pacificator.djvu/140

Rh no authority, not even to give away a village. The adoption he made would have been valid if the youth had been of age: but, under the circumstances, and especially in conformity with the practice in Rájputána, the right of selection lay with the Thákurs of the clan. Sixty-six of them, being all who were of any importance, had elected one Maddan Pal, in whose favour there also lay the further point that he was next of kin: and therefore Sir Henry considered him to be the rightful heir.

He laid these views before Lord Dalhousie, who then accepted and carried them out, instead of the original decision. The results were of the highest importance. The fears and the bitter irritation that had prevailed were allayed; the chiefs and the people saw that the policy of the stoppage of adoption, which heretofore had enjoyed a free course, had now received a sharp check; and they further felt that the decision in favour of Maddan Pal in place of Bhart Pal arose from the rise into practical power of a régime that was not only sympathetic and well-intentioned, but also vigorous and unflinching in its justice. The gravity of the ill-feeling subsided, and Sir Henry found himself acquiring, among these proud though for the time degenerate Rájputs, the same influence, regard, and affection which he had gained among the Sikhs and Punjabís.

He ruled in Rájputána for four years, from early in 1853 to early in 1857, His chief efforts during that period were directed against heinous malpractices —