Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/277

 Rajkot.

RAJKOT is a second class State in the Kathiawar Political Agency. The family of the Rajkot chiefs is an off-shoot of that of Nawanagar. It is directly descended from Jam Sataji of Nawanagar. Vibhaji, younger son of Ajoji, great-grandson of the Jam, is the founder of this branch. Vibhaji entered the Imperial service in the time of Emperor Jahangir, from whom he received the title of 'Sirdar' and a dress of honour. Raju Sandi, who had accompained him to Delhi, was allowed, in recognition of his services, to establish a village, in 1610 A.D., which was named Rajkot after him. Vibhaji was succeeded by his eldest son, Meramanji, who assisted Azim Khan of Gujrath against the Kathis at Thangarh.,

In 1720 A.D. Masum Khan, the deputy governor of Junagarh, became very powerful. He took Rajkot from Meramanji, and built a fort there in 1722 A.D. For this act, he got the fouzdar-ship of Rajkot. Sirdar Ranmalji attacked Masum Khan, and regained Rajkot in 1732 A.D. Since then it has been uninterruptedly in the possession of the descendants of Ranmalji. Meramanji III, who came to the gadi in 1759 A.D., was a very powerful prince and a great scholar too. He died in 1794 A.D. and his son, Ranmalji, succeeded to the gadi. He concluded a treaty with the British Government and a permanent tribute of Rs. 21,321 was fixed. A British Camp was established at Rajkot in 1822 A.D. Ranmalji died in 1825 A.D., and was succeeded by his son, Suraji, who made Rajkot the capital of his State.

Thakor Saheb Bawaji Raj, grandson of Suraji, came to the gadi in 1862 A.D. During his rule many important reforms were introduced in the State. Bawaji Raj died in 1889 A.D. and was succeeded by the present Thakor Saheb Lakhaji Raj, who then being a minor, the management of the State was carried on under the supervision of the Political Agent. In 1890 A.D. a sanad of adoption was granted to the Chief of Rajkot.

His Highness Lakhaji Raj was put in charge of his State in 1907 A.D. He has received a good education at the Rajkumar College, and has also spent two years at Dehra Dun in the Imperial Cadet Corps. In April 1908 A.D. the Thakor Saheb visited England. The importance of Rajkot ' is largely due to the fact of its being the head-quarters of the Agent to the Governor — the representative of the Paramount Power — and being the seat of the well-known Rajkumar College, the first institution for the education of the scions of the aristocracy of Western India, which was opened in 1870 A.D.

The area of the State is 282 square miles containing a population of 50,522 souls according to the latest census; and the gross revenue is three lacs of rupees per annum.

The Chief of this State is entitled to a salute of 9 guns.