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BARODA.

62

The death of Damaji', in 1768, was the signal for family dissensions, which eventually brought the State into its present connection with the Damaji had three lawful wives, and male issue British Government. by each. His first wife had one son, Govind Rao ; but the eldest son, Syaji Rao, as well as Fateh Singh, were born of his second wife. Govind Rao was at Poona (Puna) at the time of his father’s death, and on paying a large nazar to the Peshwa Madhu Rao, and agreeing to the arrangements concluded with Damaji three years before, he procured his recognition as successor to his father’s office of Sena Khas Khel. But Fateh Singh, a man of energy and talent, placed his brother Syaji on the throne at Baroda, and himself assumed the regency. He then proceeded in person to Poona, to obtain the reversal of the Peshwa’s decision in favour of Govind Rao. Madhu Rao, whose object was to divide the family, and thereby reduce the Gaekwar’s power, eventually admitted Syaji’s right, and thus the half-brothers Govind Rao and Fateh Singh were made implacable enemies. Singh

made

To

strengthen his position, Fateh

overtures for an alliance with the British

Government

in

Colonel Keating’s 1772, but his proposal was at that time rejected. and Raghuba’s campaign in Gujarat was followed by a rupture between

Poona and the British Government, and this occasioned an offensive and defensive treaty with Fateh Singh, concluded by This treaty was virtually General Goddard on the 20th January 1780.

the Court of

annulled on the conclusion of peace with the Poona Government in 1782.

Fateh Singh Gaekwar died on the 21st December 1789.

Manajf,

the younger son by a third wife of Damaji, assumed charge of the

Government for on payment of a by Govind Rao,

and was recognised by the Peshwa At his death, in 1793, he was succeeded to whom the Peshwa leased his share of the revenues In September 1800, Govind Rao died, of the Ahmadabad Districts. and his eldest son, Anand Rao, was acknowledged as his successor. He was of weak intellect, and the powers of the State were usurped by his brother Syaji,

large nazar.

his illegitimate half-brother,

made

Kanoji Rao.

The

Minister of

Anand Rao

overtures to the British Government, to subsidize five battalions

if Kanoji were reduced, and Anand Rao saved from the domination of his Arab soldier}-, whose demands for payment of arrears had become most menacing, while their fidelity was more than doubtful The requisite assistance was given, Kanoji was removed to Madras, the Arabs crushed, and the money advanced or borrowed on British In guarantee for pa}-ment of the troops, whose numbers were reduced.

of Sepoys

1815, in consequence of the murder of an envoy from Baroda, the wellShastri, the connection was broken off between the

known Gangadhar

Gaekwar and the Peshwa, the head of the Maratha confederacy. The latter had to renounce all future rights against the Gaekwar, and to