Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/84

66 THE IMPERIAL DURBAR ALBUM. Man Singh died in 1843 A.D. without issue, and Takhta Singh, Chief of Ahmednagar who had been taken in adoption, became the ruler of Jodhapur with the concurrence of the Paramount Power. This Maharaja rendered good service to the British Government in the Mutiny of 1 857 A.D. The management of the State fell into confusion on account of too good a nature of the Chief. The British Government once more intervened in 1868 A.D. and set matters right. In 1873 A.D. Takhta Singh was succeeded by his son, Jawan Singh, whose rule was characterised by a progressive policy. The two fine regiments of Imperial Service Cavalry raised by him are a direct testimony of his unswerving loyalty to the British Crown. He was created a G.C.S.I. in 1875 A.D., and subsequently his salute (ordinarily 17 guns) was first raised to 19, and then to 2 1 guns. He died in 1 895 A.D. leaving a strong and sound administration to his only son, Sardar Singh, who was invested with powers in 1898 A.D. The administration, during the minority of Sardar Singh, was carried on by his uncle H. H. Major-General Maharaja Sir Pratap Singh, as Regent, assisted by a Council. The Regent not only kept up the prestige of the State and the policy of Jawan Singh, but handed the trust to his nephew in a prosperous and happy condition. Sardar Singh died in 1911 A.D. and has been succeeded by his son Kunwar Sumer Singh.

The present ruler of Jodhapur is a minor and the State is being managed by his grand-uncle His Highness Major-General Maharajadhiraj Sir Pratap Singh Bahadur, G.C.S.I., K.C.B., L.L.D., D.C.L., and A.D.C., as Regent, assisted by a Council of six members including Maharaja Sri Zalim Singhji, who is the vice- President of the Council.

His Highness Maharaja Sir Pratap Singh Bahadur is Honorary Major-General in the Army, Honorary Colonel Imperial Cadet Corps, and an Honorary A.D.C. to His Majesty the King-Emperor. He has not only proved himself to be a statesman and administrator but has shown himself to be a soldier. He served with the Mohmand Expedition of 1897 A.D. as Extra A.D.C. where he was wounded, and went to China in 1900 A.D. in command of the Jodhapur Imperial Service Troops. His Highness became the Maharaja of Idar in 1902 A.D., the gadi of which State he abdicated in order to look after the State of his grand-nephew. While Regent of Jodhapur Sir Pratap Singhji retains the titles— His Highness and Maharaja Bahadur, and enjoys a personal salute of 17 guns.

The State maintains two regiments of Imperial Service Lancers (normal strength 605 per regiment) and a local force consisting of about 600 cavalry (including camel sowars) and 2,400 infantry. The artillery numbers 254 of all ranks, and there are 121 guns of various kinds of which 75 (namely, 45 field and 30 fort) are said to be serviceable. In addition, the irregular militia, supplied by the jahagirdars, musters about 2,019 of whom 1,785 are mounted men and 234 infantry. The Imperial Service Regiments were raised between 1889 and 1893 A.D. and are called the Sardar Risala.

The State covers an area of 35,016 square miles and has a population according to the Census of 1911 A.D. of 20,42,967 persons. The gross revenue of the State for the year 1909-10 was Rs. 77,81,488. It pays annually to the British Government Rs. 1,08,000 as tribute and Rs. 15,000 towards the up-keep of 1500 horses.

The present Chief of the Jodhapur State is H. H. Raj Rajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharaja Sumer Singh Saheb Bahadur, who is entitled to a salute of 17 guns.