Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/259

 Morvi.

THE State of Morvi lies in the north-eastern part of the peninsula of Kathiawar stretching up to the southern confines of the Gulf of Cutch, while the cap.tal stands on the banks of the Machchu river.

The Thakors of Morvi belong to the Jadeja clan of Rajputs and are directly descended from the family of the Raos of Cutch. On the death of Rao Rayadhan,i in 1698 A.D. his third son, Pragmalji, seized the gadi leaving his brothers to shift for themselves. One of them, Kanyoji, appropriated to himself the terntory of W *S had ' Morvi, and Kantharia in Cutch, and became independent. He may, therefore, be looked upon as the founder of the Morvi house, although the town had not yet become the seat of government, since he lived at Adhoi in Waghad. He founded the sea-port town of Wawania on the Gulf of Cutch. He died in 1734 A.D. and was succeeded by his eldest son, Aliyoji. There was ill-feeling between him and his brother, Modji, the founder of the principality of Malia. The latter induced the Miyanas of Sindh-a tribe of free-booters-to settle in his vicinity with a view to harass his brother. N«t only was the feud between Morvi and Malia kept up for generations, but the lawless Miyanas proved very troublesome for a long time to the whole province of Kathiawar.

Aliyoji was assassinated at Paddhari in 1740 A.D. and was succeeded by his

son, Rawaji, who died in 1768 A.D. With a view to avenge the murder of his

father, Rawaji attacked and demolished Paddhari, and took possession of seven of the Jam's villages besides. He extended protection to Prince Lakhapatji of Cutch.

Panchaji and his son, Waghaji, the successors of Rawaji, were occupied the whole of their time in the smouldering feud with Malia, and in quarrels with the Rao of Cutch and the Raj of Dhrangadhra. Waghaji died in 1 785 A.D. and was followed by his eldest son, Hamirji. He died without issue and was, therefore, succeeded by his brother, Jiyoji, in 1790 A.D. During his time the contest with Nawanagar blazed afresh. Jam Jasaji married a Dhrangadhra princess, when Vajsur Khachar of Jasdan gave him the village of Atkot as a f dowry. Dado Khachar did not approve of this arrangement and rose in arms against Nawanagar. Meraman Khawas of Nawanagar proposed to him, that he should proceed against Morvi, and that the village of Atkot would be restored to him in compensation for this service. In a sharp hand-to-hand fight in 1792 A.D. Dado and several of his comrades were killed. The ruler of Morvi knew no peace. A Jadeja Rajput of Nagarwas was plundering the territories belonging to the chief of Morvi. Jiyoji, with the help of the Peshwa's troops, took Nagarwas and compelled its owner to fly. This took place in 1795 A.D.

Cutch now came forward. In 1800 A.D. it sent Bhanji Ramji at the head of a large army who besieged the sea-port town of Wawania which was the most important town belonging to Morvi. Jiyoji not only offered a bold resistance but successfully defeated the Cutch army in 1801 A.D.

The chiefs of Morvi were beset with troubles from all sides and had it not been for their tenacity of purpose they would have succumbed. Colonel Walker, the