Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/22

5 European and three Native members, which commenced its sittings at Baroda on the 23rd of February 1875 A.D. The members of the Commission were divided in their opinion as to the guilt of Mulhar Rao; and the British Government deposed him from the sovereignty of the Baroda State on account of his notorious misconduct, his gross mis-government, and his evident incapacity to carry into effect thz necessary reforms required of him.

Sayajee Rao, a descendant of Pratap Rao, son of Pilajee Rao, the founder of the family and younger brother of Damajee whose line terminated with Mulhar Rao, was installed as Gaekwar, having been selected by the Government of India as the fittest member of the family to fill the vacant Gadi. Her Highness Jumnabaee, widow of Khunde Rao Gaekwar, was permitted to adopt him in consideration of Khunde Rao's valuable services during the Mutiny, and on the 27th of May 1875 A.D. Syajee Rao was installed as Gaekwar. During his minority the administration was in the hands of the famous Indian statesman, Raja Sir T. Madhavrao. After completing his education under the care of a European tutor, the young Maharaja was invested with full powers of administration on the 28th of December 1881 A.D

In 1883 A.D. Raja Sir T. Madhavrao resigned his office of Minister. Since then the Maharaja has been devoting his closest personal attention to every branch of the administration with great success. He is his own Foreign Minister and maintains his relations with the British Government with great tact, dignity, and perfect good faith. Himself a highly accomplished ruler, he makes it his special care to bestow the blessings of education upon his subjects and has been the first ruler in India to make primary eduaction not only free but compulsory in his Raj. He has been a great traveller, and has turned his travels and observations to good account; and, his administration shows unmistakable signs of the enlightenment which his mind has received from them.

The administration is carried on by an executive Council, subject to the control of the Maharaja, who is assisted by a Diwan as the head executive officer. In 1904 A.D. a Legislative department, and subsequently a Legislative Council, was established. A scheme for local self Government has been in force since 1905 A. D., the total expenditure of the Municipalities amounting to nearly a lac of rupees. The State-army numbers about 5,000 officers and men with a light field'battery and four cavalry and four infantry regiments. The total cost of the army comes to about seventeen lacs of rupees. In regard to education indiginous schools are generally 'recognized and provision is made for higher education in all its grades as also for technical and industrial education. The total expenditure on education comes to about seven lacs of rupees per annum.

The Baroda state has an area of 8,590 square miles, a population of over twenty lacs, and a revenue of about one crore and a half. The Maharaja is entitled to a salute of 21 guns.