Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/247

 Limbdi.

THE State of Limbdi is situated in the eastern part of Kathiawar. Its rulers belong to the Jhala family of Rajputs and trace their descent from Manguji, the second son of Harpal. who lived in the times of Karan Vaghela. the last Rajput king of Gujrath, and who received a grant of 1,800 villages from Karan for certain valuable services rendered to him by Harpal. He was succeeded by his son, Hari Singhji.

Han Singhji was a shrewd and far-seeing chief. It was during his time that Col. Walker arrived in Kathiawar about the year 1807A.D. and settled the tributes to be paid by the several Chiefs in the province. The tribute payable by Limbdi was also determined. Moreover, the integrity of Limbdi, as then existing, was recognised by the British Government. Han Singhji died in 1825 A.D. Fourth in succession to Hari Singh>] was Jaswant Singhji, who came to the gadi in 1862 A.D.

During the minority of Jaswant Singhji, the administration was being conducted by his mother. She found it difficult to manage the State and the British Government appointed an officer of theirs in 1867 A.D. to supervise the State during the minority. Jaswant Singhji was sent to the Rajkumar College. On his attaining majority, he was entrusted with the sole management of his State in the year 1876 A.D.

Jaswant Singhji was the first Kathiawar chief, who proceeded to England. On the first occasion his tour was only a short one. After his return he was nominated to a seat in the Legislative Council of the Governor of Bombay. Lord Reay had great confidence in the views and opinions of Jaswant Singhji. He went to England on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen'Empress Victoria, as one of the members of deputation of the Kathiawar Chiefs, when he received the distinction of K. C. I. E. at the hands of Her Majesty.

Sir Jaswant Singhji died in 1907 A.D. without issue. A few days before his death, he had fixed upon Daulat Singhji, commonly known as Colonel Dadbha, to be his successor. Another claimant came forward, but the British Government in consideration of the expressed wish of Sir Jaswnat Singhji, installed Daulat Singhji on the gadi of Limbdi in 1908 A.D.

Daulat Singhji is descended from one of the off'shoors of the Limbdi State and is closely related to the chiefs of Jamnagar, and Gondal. He has had special military training at Poona, Deesa, Simla, Muttra, and Meerut as Commanding Officer of the Imperial Service Troops of Jamnagar. During the British management of the State of Jamnagar, Daulat Singhji was practically the right-hand of the Administrator. Thus, he has come to the gadi of Limbdi with a ripe experience of men and matters, and an exceptionally superior training.

The area of this State is 343 square miles with a population of 33,287 inhabitants and the gross total revenue is of Rs. 5,00,000.

His Highness Maharana Shri Daulat Singhji is entitled to a salute of 9 guns.