Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 7.djvu/203

 RAJAR OF RUTLAM. (385)

HAROO SINGHJI, Rajah of Rutlam, is a Rahtore Rajpoot, and has a grand chieftainlike appearance, though in reality a man of diminutive stature for a Rajpoot, being only five feet three inches in height. He wears a turban, which supports a plume of feathers, and is covered with fine strings of pearls, depending from a rich central jewel, and other gold ornaments. About his neck also, and over his breast, are necklaces of pearls, rubies, and emeralds, with jewels dependent from them. His coat is of cloth of gold, his trousers of pink satin, and his waistbelt of red silk striped with gold tissue. He wears also heavy gold anklets, and his slippers are richly embroidered. The scabbard of his sword is also remarkable.

In the preceding article on Sillana, his relations with the British Government are mentioned as being the same as that state, and he pays to Sindia an annual tribute of Rs. 84,000 S. S., "to be paid regularly in four instalments. On failure of payment, land to the value of the instalment to be taken." Sindia also agreed never to send troops into the country, or to interfere with the succession, or in its national administration, in any way whatever. This agreement between Bappoo Sindia and the Rajah of Rutlam was mediated by Sir John Malcolm, 5th January, 1819.

The present condition of the state is extremely satisfactory, and the report on it by the Superintendent Meer Shahamut Au, an eminently practical and well written document. He has visited England, is a good English scholar, and has been distinguished in the political department for many years. He was appointed by Major Meade to his present office, at a time when Rutlam was torn by factions, its revenue declined to a minimum, and there seemed no hope of its recovery; but under the judicious management of this gentleman, it has recovered from all difficulties, and is now prosperous in all respects. We find an excellent practical administration of justice, good jails, and police establishments. The country has been surveyed and moderately assessed, which has given great