Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/68

50 the vexatious duties on exports and imports. In 1862 A.D. the Raja received a sanad granting him the right of adoption. In this connection it may be mentioned here that the succession to the gadi of Cochin is through the female line as it is in the State of Travancore. Raja Rama Varma was made Knight Grand Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India in 1871 A.D. He died in 1888 A.D. and was succeeded by his brother Raja Veera Keral Varma who ruled till 1895 A.D. On his demise his brother came to the gadi as Rama Varma II. He was created a K.C.S.I., in 1897 A.D. and a G.C.S.I. in 1903.

The State of Cochin is singularly diversified in its configuration and physical aspects. The hilly or eastern portion is remarkably grand, being formed by a portion of the Western Ghauts covered with dense forests, and tangled woods full of magnificent trees of teak and other valuable timber and everywhere displaying a splendid luxuriance of foliage and flowers. One. of the most striking physical features of the country is the continuous chain of lagoons or back-waters. Between these and the sea is a narrow tract of sand densely covered with the well-known Indian Coco-palm the products of which form the most important commercial industry of ihe country. Second to this is the valuable timber yielded by the forests in the State.

With a view to impart a stimulus to commerce the Maharaja of Cochin laid out a Metre-guage line from Shoranur on the southern section of the Madras Railway to Ernakulam the present capital of the State. The line which is 65 miles in length was opened in 1902 A.D. Likewise, a tramway, and timber-slide in the forest tract have been laid over a distance of about forty miles. The soil and climate having been found congenial to rubber-trees the Maharaja has extended, during recent years, special facilities to rubber-plantations.

The Chief has full civil and criminal powers together with jurisdiction over European British subjects in regard to civil matters, and up to a certain limit in criminal matters. In regard to legislation the State has a standing committee consisting of seven members and a president. They submit a draft bill to the Diwan, who forwards it with his observations to the Government of Madras. After us return from there, it is submitted to the Raja for final approval when it becomes law. All such enactments are called Regulations.

The military force of Cochin consists of 309 infantry, 16 cavalry and 4 guns. The British contingent which was stationed at Cochin under the treaty of 1809 A.D. was withdrawn in 1900 A.D.

The total area of the State is 1,362 square miles containing 659 towns and villages whose population is about 8,15,000 inhabitants. The revenue under all heads is about 29 lacs of rupees.

The present ruler, His Highness Raja Shri Sir Rama Varma K.C.SI., G.C.S.I., F.M.U. is entitled to a salute of 17 guns but as a personal distiction iwo guns have been added in his case.