Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/212

178 State was entrusted by the Paramount Power to an officer, who was designated the "Superintendent." In 1872 A.D. this officer was displaced by a "Special Assistant to the Political Agent."

During all this period, the Thakor Saheb was studying at the Rajkumar College. Rajkot, with an assiduity and diligence, which earned him the golden opinions not only of his preceptors but of all those with whom he came in contact during his status pupilaris. With a view to give a finishing touch to his education, he undertook a tour in Europe under the guidance of Col. Hancock. He published his experiences and impressions in the form of a diary, which was favourably noticed by the press both here as well as in Europe. Bhagwat Singhji assumed charge of his State in 1884 A.D. He went to England on several occasions and made the best use of his sojourn to that country. During the Jubilee festivities he was present in England as one of the members of the deputation sent by the princes of Kathiawar and received the insignia of K. C. I. E. from Her Majesty ' the Queen-Empress Victoria. His Highness the Thakor Saheb studied medicine and gained the M. B. degree at the Edinburgh University, which, later on, conferred on him the degree of M. D. for a valuable thesis contributed by him to the medical science. In 1892 A.D. the University of Oxford honoured him with the degree of D. C. L., while the Cambridge University conferred on him the honorary degree of LL. D. The subjects of His Highness voted him a colossal bronze statue, the cost of which has been defrayed by public subscription. This is, perhaps, the only instance in the whole of India of such a tribute being paid to a ruler by his people.

The improvements done by Bhagwat Singhji in his State are too numerous and too varied to be fully recounted here; but they have been so well appreciated and recognised that Gondal was placed among the first class native States on account of "its importance and advanced administration" by the Paramount Power. The Chief has fully demonstrated by deeds that the words which he uttered at his installation speech were real, and that the ends of government, which the young Chief then defined, have been kept steadily in view by him. His Highness takes a keen and intelligent interest in his administration and in everything that concerns his subjects. He was created a G. C. I. E. in 1897 A.D. in recognition of his enlightened and progressive rule.

His Highness being himself accomplished and highly educated is naturally anxious to give the benefit of education to, his subjects as liberally as he can. He has not only opened a large number of schools in his Raj but has established a Girasia school at a cost of about a lac and a half of rupees for the benefit of the sons of petty landlords, of whom there are numbers in Kathiawar, and who are not able to take advantage of the Rajkumar College and similar institutions.

The area of the State is 1,024 square miles having a population of 1,62,859 souls and yielding an average revenue of about 15 lacs of Rupees per annum.

H. H. Thakor Saheb Sir Bhagwat Singhji G. C. I. E. is entitled to a salute of 11 guns.