Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 7.djvu/185

 NAWAB OF JOWRAH AND NEPHEWS. (381)

HE Nawab is seated in the centre, very richly dressed, wearing necklaces of pearls and emeralds. His name is Ghous Mahomed Khan, a Pathan, and the son of the celebrated Ghuffoor Khan, who was a distinguished general of Holkar’s, upon whom, by the treaty of Mundissoor, after the battle of Mehidpore, the districts of Jowrah, Tal, Mulhargurh, &c., were settled. Of these possessions, Jowrah became the capital, and rapidly improved. The present Nawab is an intelligent and enlightened ruler. He understands and can write English, and he is very hospitable to all European travellers passing through his state.

His father, Ohuffoor Khan, was an officer under the celebrated Ameer Khan, of Tonk and Rampoora, originally in the service of Jeswunt Rao Holkar, and had married Ameer Khan’s wife’s sister. On one occasion, when Ameer Khan was obliged to leave Malwah, he left his forces and interests in the hands of Ghuffoor Khan, who was raised to the rank of Nawab, and had a jahgeer or estate conferred upon him by Holkar. The grant was equal to Rs. 20,000 per annum, and included the maintenance of 1,000 horse. The court of Holkar was then torn by factions and intrigues. Jeswunt Rao was insane, and afterwards died; and his mistress Toolsa Bye carried on the government as regent, on the part of an adopted child. There were many other parties contending for local power; but Ghuffoor Khan espoused the cause of the young Holkar, preserved him from violence, and continued attached to him, till the murder of Toolsa Bye and the battle of Mehidpore destroyed all faction at Holkar’s court, and left the young prince free. Ghuffoor Khan’s possessions were secured to him by the XII. article of the treaty of Mundissoor, which enumerates the districts, and provides that they shall descend to Ghuffoor Khan’s heirs, on condition of his maintaining a body of 600 horse; and the observance of this grant is guaranteed by the British Government. The Nawab’s estates have much improved since then, and his cavalry are employed in maintaining the peace of the country. By the Political Agent’s report for 1869–70, we find that the state of Jowrah continues to be