Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/59

Rh Holkar. Ranjit Singh, in the face of his engagements with the British Government, unfortunately for himself and his State, joined the latter. In November 1804 A.D. the routed troops of Holkar were pursued to the fort of Deeg, and the British army had advanced on to the glacis, when a destructive fire of cannon and musketry was opened on it by the garrison which consisted entirely of the troops of Bharatpur. The place was therefore besieged and carried by storm on the 23rd of December 1804 A.D., when the Mahrattas and the Jats fell back on Bharatpur. Then followed the memorable siege of Bharatpur which commenced on 3rd of January 1805 A.D. and continued till the 17th of April 1805 A.D. when Ranjit Singh sued for peace and a treaty was concluded. Under it, he was made to pay an indemnity of twenty lacs of Rupees, (seven lacs of which were subsequently remitted) but the five districts granted to him in 1803 A.D. were resumed and he was confirmed in the possession of the rest of his territory.

Ranjit Singh died in 1805 A.D., and his successors were his sons Randhir Singh (18054823 A.D.) and Baldeo Singh (1823-25. A.D.) The latter left a minor son, Balwant Singh, whose succession was recognised by the British Government, but who was opposed and cast into prison by his cousin, Durjan Sal. At first, the Paramount Power declined to take notice of this, but when the usurpation threatened to lead to a rebellion, it was decided to put down the usurper and place Balwant Singh in power. Lord Combermere, the Commander-in-Chief, invested the capital in 1825 A.D. and the place was stormed and taken. Durjan Sal was made a prisoner and deported to Allahabad. Balwant Singh was installed as Maharaja under the regency of his mother and the superintendence of a Political Agent; but in 1 826 A.D. the Rani who had shown a disposition to intrigue was removed, and a Council of Regency was formed.

Balwant Singh was put in charge of the administration in 1835 A.D. and died in 1853 A.D., leaving an infant son, Jaswant Singh. The Agency (abolished in 1835 A.D.,) was re-established and a council formed. In 1862 A.D. the chief received the usual sanad guaranteeing to him the right of adoption, and in 1871 A.D. he obtained full powers. Maharaja Jaswant Singh, who was created a G. C.S.I, in 1877 A.D., and whose personal salute was raised in 1890 A.D. from 17 to 19 guns, died in 1893. A.D. Jaswant Singh was succeeded by his eldest son, Ram Singh, who was installed in 1893 A D., but, in consequence of his intemperate habits, was deprived of all powers in 1895 A.D., and was deposed in 1900 A.D. His son, Kishan Singh, born in 1899 A.D. was placed on the gadi in 1900 A.D., and the administration is being carried on by a Council of Regency.

The State maintains an Imperial Service Infantry Regiment of 652 fighting men and a transport corps with 82 guns.

The area of the State is about 1,982 square miles, and has a population of nearly 6i lacs. The total revenue of the State amounts to about 31 lacs of rupees.

His Highness Maharaja Shri Brijendra Sawai Kishan Singh Bahadur, Bahadurjang, is the present ruler. He is entitled to a salute of 17 guns.