Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/71

Rh The artistic taste in the workmanship of Cutch and the present reputation of its silver-ware owes its development to Rao Lakhapatji. He entertained in his service a vaghela by name Ram Singh Malam, who had undertaken several voyages to Europe and picked up the rudiments of several arts, and under his guidance a school of industry was established. The Rao was also a patron of letters. He is said to have established a school to impart to his subjects a knowledge of the Brij dialect, of which he himself was a good student. He died in 1760 A.D. and was succeeded by his son Godhaji. On his death in 1778 A. D., his eldest son, Rayadhanji, came to the gadi. He embraced the Moslem religion much to the consternation of his relatives and Hindu subjects, and gave rise to a series of feuds and unrest. At this Jamadar Fatteh Mahomad made himself all powerful in the State, and, being very ambitious, he turned his arms against Nawanagar. The British Government intervened and deputed Captain MacMurdo with a kharita. Before any terms could be settled upon, Fatteh Mahomad and Rao Rayadhanji died at an interval of twenty days in 1813 A.D. The successor, Rao Bharmalji, was an incompetent ruler. He was therefore dethroned, and his infant son, Deshaji, was proclaimed Rao of Cutch.

The British Government appointed a Council consisting of the Resident, the Diwan, and four other chief nobles of the State. Rao Deshaji received a liberal education and was put in charge of the administration of his State in 1833 A.D. He died in 1860 A.D. and was succeeded by his eldest son Pragmalji II. Rao Shri Pragmalji was a highly educated Prince like his father. He was a wise and beneficent ruler, and much of what is now seen in Cutch was begun during his regime. He died in 1876 A.D. and his son, Prince Khengarji, who was only 9 years old, was duly installed on the gadi. According to his father's will, a Council of Regency was formed, which carried on the administration of the State till 1886A.D., when the State was entrusted to the young Rao. The Imperial Government conferred the title of 'Sawai Bahadur' on the Rao. In 1887 A.D. the Rao proceeded to England to represent the Princes of the Bombay Presidency on the occasion of the Jubilee of the late Queen-Empress Victoria, and was created a G. C. I. E. there. The Rao is a cautious but very progressive ruler, taking great interest in the welfare of his subjects. He takes keen interest in the cause of education and works of public utility.

The military force of the State consists of 853 foot-soldiers including 281 Arabs and 254 cavalry. The State is bound by treaty to defray the expenses of the subsidiary force stationed at Bhuj by the British Government for the protection of the country.

The area of the State is 7,616 square miles (exclusive of the Runn) containing eight towns and 940 villages having 4,99,000 inhabitants, and has a total revenue of a little over 36 lacs of Rupees per annum.

The ruling Chief, His Highness Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Sawai Sir Khengarji Bahadur G.C I.E., enjoys full civil and criminal powers in his territory, and is entitled to a salute of 17 guns.