Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/285

 Sayla.

THIS is a small State in Kathiawar, and is connected with Dhrangadhra. The Chabad Rajputs held sway during the fifteenth century over the country now under Sayla. It was. conquered by the Kathis of Karpada and Khawad in the fore'part of the eighteenth century and it was wrested from them by the Rajput Sesabhai, second son of Raj Raya Singh of Dhrangadhra.

At one time Sesabhai, in concert with the Kathis and other tribes, removed his elder brother, Gaj Singhji, from Halawad. But he and his heroic wife Jijiba, regained their dominions with the help of Bhagawant Rao, the Peshwa's officer, who was at the time in Kathiawar to collect tribute. Sesabhai now attacked and expelled the Kathis of Sayla who had assisted Gaj Singh and his wife and permanently established himself at that place in 1751 A.D. He got the village of Liya from Jaswat Singh for recovering his cattle that had been plundered by the border Kathis.

^Sesabhai died in 1794 A.D. He had five sons of whom Vikmatji ascended the gadi. He ruled peaceably till 1813 A.D. and was succeeded by Madar Singhji in whose time the whole of Kathiawar had come under the influence of the British Government and peace had been established throughout the province. Madar Singhjfs son, Sesabhai II, otherwise known as " Bapaji ", ruled for only two years and was followed by Kesari Singhji. He was a remarkable personage who had the welfare of his subjects at heart even in preference to his own comforts. He lent every facility to his subjects in regard to agriculture. He gave one of his daughters in marriage to. Jam Vibhaji of Nawanagar, the other to the Rana of Porbandar, and the third to the Thakor of Morvi.

A dispute having arisen between Kesari Singhji and his two cousins in 1866 A.D. with respect to their giras boundaries, the latter went into outlawry and committed depredations on the territories of Sayla. At last they were apprehended and sentenced to transportation for life by the Political Agent, Rajkot.

Kesari Singhji reigned for forty-four years and died in 1882 A.D, He was succeeded by Wakhat Singhji who is the present Thakor. His heir-apparent, Madar Singhji, is studying at the Rajkumar College, Rajkot, and the .other princes are students in the Girasia School, Wadhwan.

Sayla, the capital of the State, is 18 miles from the Wadhwan Railway Station

and contains some relics of antiquarian interest, among which may be mentioned the

" Mana Sarovar " said to have been constructed by Siddhara; Jaya Singh of Anahilwada Pattan.

The area of the State is 226 square miles containing 37 villages. The subjects of the Thakor number about 12,850 according to the latest census. The annual revenue of the State is Rs. 75,000 of which the Chief has to pay Rs. 15,511 per annum as tribute and Zortalbi dues.

The Thakor Saheb of Sayla ranks as a third class Chief in Kathiawar.