Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/65

Rh Holkar in 1804 A. D. thereby bringing upon himself the special vengeance of that Mahratta leader. From that time till 1817 A.D., the Mahrattas and the Pendharees constantly ravaged the State exacting tribute and assuming supremacy.

In 1818 A.D. the State of Bundi was taken by the British Government under their protection by a treaty concluded with Bhisan Singh. The tribute formerly paid to the Holkar was remitted by the treaty, and the lands held by the Holkar in Bundi were restored to Bhisan Singh, who agreed to pay to the British Government the tribute which he had been paying to the Sindhia. Under the treaty of 1860 A.D. the sovereignty of the Pattan district was transferred to the British Government from whom Bundi now holds it as a perpetual fief.

Bhisan Singh died in 1821 A.D. and was succeeded by his son Ram Singh, then ten years of age. The murder of his minister Kishan Ram in 1830 A.D. by an armed party from Jodhpur would probably have caused hostilities between the two States but for the intervention of the British Government. In 1862 A.D. the Maharao obtained a sanad of adoption, and was created a G. C. S. I. He was made a counsellor of the Empire in 1877 A.D. and a C. I. E. in 1878 A.D. The Raja's rule though old-fashioned was popular, and was remarkable for the strict integrity he evinced in all his actions. He has been described as the most conservative prince in Rajputana and a grand specimen of a genuine Rajput. He died full of honours and years in 1889 A.D. having ruled for nearly 68 years, and was succeeded by his son Raja Raghubir Singh who was invested with full powers in 1890 A.D. His Highness was made a K. C. S. I. in 1897 A.D. and a G. C. I. E. in 1901 A.D.

The military force of the State consists of 350 regulars (100 cavalry, 200 infantry, and 50 artillery-men with 48 serviceable guns), and 400 irregular infantry.

The area of the state is 2,220 square miles which contains 819 villages with a population of 1,71,250 inhabitants, and yields an average revenue of six lacs of Rupees per annum.

His Highness the Maharao Raja Sir Raghubir Singh Bahadur, G.C.I.E., K.C.S.I. of Bundi has full judicial powers, both civil and criminal, and is entitled to a salute of 17 guns.