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164 policy which was adopted in the Poona principality, and for reasons which have already been explained in the last chapter. But elsewhere the general rule which prevailed was to incorporate that territory alone whose revenues were sufficient to maintain the subsidiary forces which were required for the control of the native princes. Society was left free and unfettered to develop itself, without the imposition, by force or interference, of a higher culture for which it was unfitted, and the rulers who were still preserved at the head of their states were made independent, as far as it was consistent with the central control of Calcutta to be exercised for the preservation of general tranquillity.

It was further determined to increase the influence of those states where intelligent chiefs existed, — native princes who co-operated with British officers in the introduction of salutary reforms, and who, having deserved consideration at the hands of the Governor-General for the services they rendered, would be likely to lay the foundation of civilized government in the provinces under their rule. It was natural that they should be rewarded and encouraged; and there was plenty of land at the disposal of Lord Hastings to carry out this principle, for many worthless chiefs were dispossessed or their territories reduced.

In effecting these changes, and indeed on other occasions, an endeavour was moreover made to remove all future causes of contention, and with this object, to