Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/137

118 THE IMPERIAL DURBAR ALBUM. same time given to Ranoji Rao Sindhia and Malhar Rao Holkar. It must be noted here, that Tukoji Rao, the Founder of the Dewas Principality, was accompanied in this campaign by his younger brother Jiwaji Rao, who proved of great help to his elder brother and remained faithful till his death by his elder brother's side. This is how Tukoji Rao 1 carved out the principality of Dewas and his younger cousin Udaji Rao carved out that of Dhar. Tukoji Rao got the title of " Pratinidhi" (viceroy) from Raja Shahu of Satara, and he was generally known in these parts as subhedar (governor). Tukoji Rao added to the prestige and power of his State by levying tribute from some of the Rajput states and thus making them his tributaries. It was in one of these expeditions in Rajputana that he breathed his last. While he was encamped at Ajmer in 1751 A.D., owing to a sudden storm, the pole of the tent fell on his head and thus was the end of the founder of the Dewas State.

He had no son and therefore his widow adopted his nephew (Tukoji Rao's elder brother Krishnaji Rao's son) under the title of Raja Krishnaji Rao 1. Krishnaji Rao spent most of his time in trying to add more to his State by making repeated invasions towards Delhi. For twelve years or so he remained at Muttra and proved of help to the great Mahadji Sindhia of Gwahor who was deeply engaged at this time in Delhi politics. Krishnaji Rao died in 1789 A.D. while on his way to the Deccan, at Burhanpur. He also had no son and was succeeded by his elder brother's (Jahagirdar of Supa) son under the name Tukoji Rao II. Raja Tukoji Rao had to cope with good many difficulties, both internal and external. He, however, succeeded in getting over them. The most historical event in his reign was the conclusion of the Treaty of 1818 with the Hon'ble East India Company which, as is well-known, later on developed into the present Government of India under the Sovereignty of His Majesty the King'Emperor. In consequence of this treaty, Tukoji Rao's younger cousin (descen- dant of Jiwaji Rao mentioned above) became the first ruler of what is known as the Junior Branch of Dewas. Tukoji Rao died in 1828 A.D. and was succeeded by his son Rukmangad Rao. The most important event during his reign was the Mutiny cf 1857 A.D. in which His Highness remained staunchly loyal to the British Government and his services were recognised by them. He died in 1860 A.D.

During the minority of His Highness Krishnaji Rao II, his mother Maharani Yamunabai Saheba conducted the affairs of the State. It was when Krishnaji Rao was on the gadi of Dewas, that the Imperial Durbar was held at Delhi in 1877 A.D. when Her late Majesty Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India. His Highness was married to Her Highness Tara Raja Saheba, the daughter of His Highness Maharaja Jayaji Rao Sindhia of Gwalior. His Highness married a second wife who is still alive and is known as Her Highness Dowager Rani Tara Raja Saheba. His Highness Krishnaji Rao died in 1899 A.D. and was succeeded by the eldest son of his elder brother, Shnmant Anand Rao Nanasaheb Pawar Vishwas Rao Bahadur, under the title of His Highness Maharaja Tukoji Rao III alias Bapusaheb Maharaj, on the 4th of April 1900 A.D.

His Highness Tukoji Rao III was born on the 1st January 1888. He received his education at the Daly College at Indore and the Mayo College at Ajmer. The Government of India invested His Highness with full ruling powers in 1908 A.D.

It is now a little over 3 years since His Highness began personally to govern the State, and in this short period the finances of the State and general condition of the people are jgreatly improved, and there is distinctly a very high tone