Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/74

56 THE IMPERIAL DURBAR ALBUM. of 1877 A.D. and he was made a Counsellor of the Empire. Next year he was made a CLE. He died in 1880 A.D. without a male issue. Khaim Singh, the younger brother of the Thakore of Isadra, who had been adopted by him, succeeded him, under the name of Sawai Madhav Singh 11, and was invested with full powers in 1882 A.D.

The official connection of Jaipur with the British Government dates from 1803 A.D. when Lord Lake, with a view to exterminate the Mahrattas from Hindustan, entered into a subsidiary alliance with the Rajput Chiefs. In 1805 A.D. this treaty with Jaipur, was abrogated under the policy of Lord Cornwallis which left the State a prey to the depredations of the Mahrattas. A treaty was, however, concluded in April 1818 A.D., by which the Jaipur State was guaranteed the protection of the British Government, the Maharaja agreeing, on his part, to furnish troops at the requisition of the Goverrment, and to pay an annual tribute of eight lacs of rupees until the revenue should exceed 40 lacs of rupees after which five sixteenths of the excess were to be paid in addition to the eight lacs. Large arrears of tribute had accumulated during a long course of misgovernment which made it necessary for the British Government to interfere in the internal administration. The tribute was found to be in excess of a fair proportion of the revenue, and, therefore, in 1842 A.D. the arrears which amounted to 42 lacs of rupees were remitted, and the annual payment was reduced from eight to four lacs of rupees. In 1871 A.D. that portion of clause 6 in the treaty of 1818 A.D. which provided for the payment of a progressive tribute, when the revenue exceeded 40 lacs of rupees a year, was rescinded by the Government of India, on the understanding that the Maharaja would correspondingly enlarge his grants for internal State improve- ments, a condition which has been carried out faithfully by His Highness.

Since His -Highness the present Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh became the ruler of this important State, he has proved himself to be a wise, capable and enlightened administrator. The State has prospered greatly under his able rule for which he has received marks of distinction from the British Government, signifying their appreciation of his efforts to advance the interests not only of his own State but of India.

The present ruler was created a G.C.S.I. in 1896 A.D., G.C.I.E. in 1901 A.D. and G. C. V. O. in 1903 A.D. In 1904 A.D. he was made Honorary Colonel of the 13th Rajputs. He visited England in 1902 and was present at the coronation of King Edward VII.

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The area of the State is 15,579 square miles with a population of about 26£ lacs. The total revenue of the State is about 65 lacs of rupees per annum.

The military force of the State consists of about 5,000 infantry divided into eight regiments, 5,000 Nagas (irregulars), 700 cavalry, 860 artillery-men, and 100 camel sowars, and about 1 1 guns of small calibre. The State further maintains an Imperial Service transport corps, which did very good service in the Chitral and Tirah campaigns.

Colonel His Highness Maharajadhiraja Sir Sawai Madho Singh Bahadur, G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., G.C.V.O. who is the present ruler is entitled to a salute of 21 guns.