Page:Twelve men of Bengal in the nineteenth century (1910).djvu/128

108 the hills had been definitely adopted. He purchased large tracts of land in the vicinity of Darjeeling and Kurseong and greatly assisted in the development of those stations. The establishment of Government for a certain period of the year in Darjeeling soon led to a great influx of visitors official and non-official and the Maharaja's wise foresight in purchasing land before the rush began proved a splendid investment. On the beautification of his own house in Burdwan he lavished much care and thought, practically all the chief buildings there owing their origin to him. The beautiful Dilkhusha gardens were designed and laid out under his personal supervision, and like the palace intself [sic] remain to-day as evidence of his excellent taste. In the management of his affairs he was assisted by a Council of responsible advisers appointed by him on the lines of the viceroy's executive councils, each member being placed in charge of a special department of the estate. The Maharaja proved himself an excellent judge of character and the members of the Council were selected with great care, some of the ablest men in Bengal, who afterwards still further distinguished themselves, doing good services upon it. He himself took a personal interest in the smallest details of the management of his property and throughout his long career he administered it wisely and well.

Maharaja Mahtab Chand died on the 26th