An historical sketch of the native states of India/Minor trans-satlaj states
| The full text of this chapter has been converted into Wiki format by Laxman Burdak |
in subsidiary alliance with the British government (1875)
Author: George Bruce Malleson (1825-1898)
Publisher: Longmans, Green & Co. London
I. Kapurthala.
Area:598 sq. miles. Population: 212,721. Revenue: 5,77,000 rupees.
THE founder of the Kapurthala family was one Jussa Singh, who at the period of turmoil towards the close of the last century, acquired possessions, by conquest and by gift, from Ranjit Singh, on both banks of the Satlaj. Those on the left bank were, by the treaty made with Ranjit Singh in 1809, brought under the suzerainty of the British. By that treaty the Sirdar of Kapurthala became bound to furnish with supplies British troops moving through or cantoned in Cis-Satlaj territory, and, by the British proclamation to those states issued in the month of May following, to join the British during war.
In 1826 Ranjit Singh made an aggression on the Sirdar of Kapurthala, who appealed to the British Government for protection. This was accorded, and Ranjit ceased to molest him. Nevertheless in the first Sikh war (1845-6), the Sirdar sided with the Sikhs against the British.
For this act of hostility his possessions on the left bank of the Satlaj were confiscated. Those on the right bank, containing the city of Kapurthala, were, however, left to him and his heirs on condition of his paying to the British Government a commutation in cash of the service engagements by which he had previously been bound to the government of Lahore. He was likewise required to be loyal to his suzerain, to govern well, to levy neither customs nor duties, and to keep the high roads in repair. His military service was commuted for an annual payment of 1,38,000 rupees, subsequently reduced to 1,31,000, at which sum it now stands assessed.
After the annexation of the Panjab by the British, 1849, the Sirdar of Kapurthala, Nihal Singh, was created a Raja, He died in 1852, and was succeeded by his son, Randhir Singh. This prince rendered good service in the stormy years of 1857-58, alike in the Panjab and in Oudh. As a reward for this he received an hereditary jaghir in the Bari Daab, which his father had held in life tenure, but which had been resumed on his death by the British Government ; and, in addition, two estates in Oudh in perpetuity, with remission of half the revenue.
Raja Randhir Singh set out for England towards the end of 1869. But, taken ill at Aden, he died before he could reach Bombay on his return (1870). He was succeeded by his son, Khurruk Singh.
II. Mandi.
Area: 1,080 sq. miles. Population: 139,259. Revenue: 3,00,000 rupees.
THIS is an ancient Rajput principality, regarding the earlier history of which I have been unable to glean any specific information. It was under the suzerainty of Ranjit Singh in 1810, and continued so till after the first Sikh war, when it was transferred to the British, full sovereignty being conceded to the Raja, to his heirs, and
those of his brothers, according to seniority. The present Raja was born in I817. He has received the right of adoption. He pays a tribute of 1,00,000 rupees to the British.
III. Chamba.
Area: 3,216 sq. miles. Population: 120,000. Revenue: 1,20,000 rupees.
Tins principality fell into British possession under circumstances precisely similar to the preceding, and under conditions nearly similar. Part of the country was, how-ever, made over in 1846 to Golab Singh, but in the following year the whole was brought under the British suzerainty. The Raja pays a tribute of 10,000 rupees. The British Government has conferred upon him the right of adoption.
IV. Sakit.
Area: 120 sq. miles. Population: 44,552. Revenue: 80,000 rupees.
This state also came under British suzerainty in 1846, and was treated in the same manner as the others. It has no special history. The Raja pays a tribute to the British Government of 11,000 rupees. He has the right of adoption.