Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/77

THE IMPERIAL DURBAR ALBUM. the omission of certain necessary ceremonies. Bharat Pal was, however, accepted by the Ranis, by nine of the most influential Thakurs, and by the general populace of the country, and so he was recognised as Chief in 1854 A.D. During the Mutiny of 1857 A.D., out of a spirit of loyalty towards the Paramount Power, he sent a body of troops against the Kotah mutineers; and, for these services he was created a G.C.S.I., the debt of two lacs of Rupees due by him to the British Government remitted, a dress of honour conferred on him, and the salute of the Maharajas of Karauli permanently increased from 15 to 17 guns. The usual sanad guaranteeing the privilege of adoption to the rulers of this State was granted in 1862 A.D., and it is curiously remarkable that the last seven Chiefs have all succeeded by adoption.

Madan Pal died in 1 869 A.D. and was succeeded by his nephew, Lachman Pal, but he died very soon after, and was followed by Jai Singh whose rule, too, was short, as he died in 1875 A.D. He was succeeded by Arjun Pal who ruled till 1886 A.D. After his death Maharaja Bhanwar Pal came to the gadi and obtained full powers in 1 889 A.D. He received the insignia of K. C. I. E. in 1 894 A.D., and was made a G. C. I. E. three years later. The nobles are all Yadaw Rajputs connected with the ruling house, and are a powerful factor in the State. The more important of the nobles are Hadoti, Amargarh, Inaiti, Raontra, and Barthum, who are called Thekanadars. Until quite recently they often defied the authority of the Durbar. The Rao of Hadoti is looked upon as the heir to the gadi of Karauli when the ruling Chief leaves no direct successor behind him.

The area of the State is 1,242 square miles with a population of a little over 1⅛ lacs of people. The normal revenue of the State is about five lacs of Rupees. The State is governed by the Maharaja assisted by a Council of five members.

H. H. Maharaja Sir Bhanwar Pal Deo Bahadur Yadukul-Chandra-Bhal, G.C.I.E. the present ruler of Karauli is entitled to a salute of 17 guns.