Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/243

 Lakhtar.

THE rulers of this State are Rajputs of the Jhala race, to which the Raj of Dhrangadhra also belongs; in fact, the founder of the principality of Lakhtar, Abhai Singh, was one of the sons of Raj Chandra Singh, the occupant of the gadi of Halwad, between 1584-1628 A.D., Abhai Singh conquered Than and the surrounding country from the Babanya Kolis between 1604' 16 1 5 A.D.

After the death of Abhai Singh, his son, Wajaji I, came to the throne. He was a devout worshipper of Ranchhodji, whose idol he had brought from his maternal home, Dungarpur, and installed it in his palace; for a time Lakhtar was known as Ranchhodpun.

Karan Singh I, the third in succession from Wajaji, led an army against Nawanagar in support of Raj Pratap Singh of Halwad. The allied princes removed Hardholji, who had killed his brother, Jam Raya Singhji, and usurped the gadi in 1718 A.D. and placed his nephew, Jam Tamachi, on the throne in 1727 A.D.

Prithwi Raj, the. fifth in descent from Karan Singh, was on the gadi of Lakhtar, when Col. Walker came to Kathiawar. The State was very badly managed by Prithwi Raj, who was under the influence of a low menial named Hirji Khawas. The Rajput Jahagirdars went to Baroda to lay their grievances before the Caekwar through Gahenabai, a princess of the Lakhtar house and widow of Govind Rao Gaekwar. They got redress, and proper arrangements were made to liquidate the State debt by setting aside a certain portion of the revenue. Prithwi Raj died in 1815 A.D. His successor, Vajeraj II., died in 1846 A.D. and was followed by Karan Singh at the age of only three months. On attaining majority he was duly installed on his ancestral gadi and has been peacefully ruling his State.

The area of the State is 248 square miles, with a population 15,114 persons residing in 51 villages. The average annual revenue during normal years is about Rs. 75,000.

Lakhtar being a third class State in Kathiawar, the Chief has powers to inflict sentence of rigorous imprisonment for a period not exceeding seven years and a fine of Rs. 10,000; while in* civil matters he can dispose of suits to the value of Rs. 20,000.