Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/134

Rh Shatrujit's time was mostly taken up in settling the disputes about succession in Orchha or in fighting against the Mahrattas.

Raja Parichhat entered into treaty of alliance with Captain Baillie, the Agent to the Governor-General at Kunjanghat on March 15th, 1803 A.D., which still governs the relations between the State and the British Government. Lord Hastings visited Datia in 1818 A.D. and the ruler in memory of this visit received two guns which are known by the name of 'Lat Baksh.' Further in recognition of the Chief's good services rendered to the Government of India in the siege of Bharatpur and in their wars against Mahrattas, another treaty was concluded in the same year, whereby the Raja was given the "Chowrasi Ilaka" the tract of land including Indergarh. In 1824 A.D. the Raja visited Lord Amherst at Cawnpore, and attended the Durbar of Lord William Bentick at Kaitha in 1829 A.D.

Bijai Bahadur, a highly spiritual and noble-minded Chief was succeeded by Bhawani Singh, whose administration accompanied by useful reforms is the longest in the history of Datia.

The Maharaja was invited to His Excellency Lord Elgin's Durbar at Agra in 1863 A.D. In 1866 A.D. the Chief attended Lord Lawrence's Durbar at Agra, and in 1875 A.D. he was presented to the Prince of Wales (afterward King Edward VII). In 1877 A.D. he attended the Imperial Assemblage at Delhi, where the hereditary title of "Lokendra" was given to him and also a banner and a commemorative gold medal. In 1897 A.D. he was made a K. C.S.I, in recognition of his prompt and energetic management of the Famine Relief Operations. In 1902 A.D. Lord Curzon visited the State, and in 1903 A.D. the Chief and his son were invited to the Coronation Durbar, where the former received a gold medal. In 1905 A.D. both were presented to Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales ( now Their Majesties King-Emperor George V and Queen-Empress Mary) at Indore. In 1906 A.D. the Chief had an addition of two guns to his personal salute, and in 1907 A.D. he joined the Durbar at Agra on the occasion of the Amir of Cabul's visit to India. On his return he died shortly after.

Maharaja Bhawani Singh was succeeded by His Highness the Maharaja Lokendra Govind Singh Bahadur Ju Deo who was installed on the 21st August 1907 A.D. The present Chief now twenty six years old is the tenth ruler of the State, and has received good education in Oriental languages. He is a good rider and a keen shot having bagged 20 tigers during the space of 4 years. Many reforms are being introduced in his time, such as payment of salaries of servants in cash instead of in land, large remissions of old debts and arrears of land-revenue and efficiency of the State Army. A land-revenue settlement of the State, and re-organisation of Civil, Criminal, Revenue, Police, Forest, Medical and Public Works Departments on modern lines are under contemplation. The Maharaja received congratulations from the Government of India for the good management of Famine Reliefs in 1907-08 A.D.

The present Chief of Datia, His Highness Maharaja Lokendra Govind Singh Bahadurji Deo, enjoys a salute of 15 guns. The motto of the Datia House is "Lord of the Brave and giver of the Refuge."