Samthar State, 1908
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Samthar State
Treaty State in Central India, under the Bundel- khand Political Agency, lying between 25 43' and 25 57' N. and 78 48' and 79 7' E., with an area of about 178 square miles. The name is most probably a corruption of Shamshergarh, by which the capital is still known. It is bounded on the north and east by the Jalaun District of the United Provinces ; on the south by Jhansi District ; and on the west by the Bhander pargana of the Gwalior State and by Jhansi District. The territory consists of an almost unbroken level plain, sparsely covered with trees The soil is only moderately fertile, and, though traversed by the Pahuj and Betwa, both large streams, is entirely dependent on the rainfall for its pro- ductivity. Geologically, the State consists of Bundelkhand gneiss and allied rocks, in great part concealed by alluvium. The climate is generally temperate, though hotter than that of Malwa. The rainfall, as shown by a ten years' record, averages 30 inches.
On the death of Maharaja Ram Chandra of DATIA in 1733, a dispute arose regarding the succession to that State. In his contest with rival claimants Indrajit, who succeeded, had been assisted by various petty chiefs, among whom was Naune Sah Gujar, a son of a man in the service of the Datia State. On his accession to power Indrajit rewarded Naune Sah's son, Madan Singh, with the title of Rajdhar and the governorship of Samthar fort, a jdglr of five villages being later on granted to his son Devi Singh. The latter was succeeded by his son Ranjlt Singh. During the disturbances caused by the Maratha inva- sion, Ranjit Singh became independent and received the title of Raja from the Marathas.
On the establishment of the British supremacy he requested to be taken under protection, and a treaty was concluded in 1817, confirming him in possession of the territory he then held. In 1827 Ranjit Singh died and was succeeded by his son Hindupat, who, however, became of unsound mind, the administration being entrusted to his Rani. In 1862 an adoption sanad was granted to the chief, the obligation to pay succession dues being remitted (1877) in the case of a direct successor. In 1864 the eldest son Chhatar Singh asserted his claim to rule the State, which was recognized by Govern- ment, the pargana of Amargarh (Anira) being assigned for the main- tenance of the ex-chief, his Ram, and a younger son, Arjun Singh (alias All Bahadur), In 1883 this arrangement was changed, a cash allowance being given in lieu of the pargana. Hindupat died in 1890; and Government, in consideration of the length of time Chhatar Singh had been actual ruler, decided that no formal recognition of his succession was needed. Chhatar Singh was a good administrator and improved the condition of the State considerably.
During his rule a salt con- vention was made with the British Government (1879), by which the State received Rs. 1,450 as compensation for dues formerly levied; and land was ceded for the Betwa Canal (1882) and for a railway (1884). In 1877 Chhatar Singh received the title of Maharaja as a personal distinction. He died in 1896, and was succeeded by his son Blr Singh Deo, the present ruler, who received the title of Maha- raja as a personal distinction in 1898. The chief bears the hereditary titles of His Highness and Raja, and receives a salute of 1 1 guns.
The population of the State has been : (1881) 38,633, (1891) 40,541, and (1901) 33,472. It decreased by 17 per cent, during the last decade, owing to famine. Hindus number 31,211, or 93 per cent., and Musalmans 2,229, or 7 per cent. The density in 1901 was 188 persons per square mile. The principal castes are Chamars, 4,300, or 13 per cent.; Brahmans, 3,800, or n per cent.- Lodhis, 3,000, or 9 per cent. ; Kachhls and Gujars, 2,000 each, or 7 per cent, ; Gadarias, 1,700, or 5 per cent. The State contains 90 villages and one town, SAMTHAR (population, 8,286)3 the capital. For a Hindu State in this part of India the percentage of Musalmans is unusually high. The Muhammadan element also takes a considerable part in the adminis- tration. The prevailing form of speech is Bundelkhandl. x\bout 33 per cent, of the population are supported by agriculture and 17 per cent, by general labour.
The soil is for the most part poor, and the country is singularly devoid of tanks, which are fairly common in the rest of Bundelkhand. The principal soils are mar, an inferior black soil ; kabar> a grey soil ; parua, a yellowish red soil, which is the most prevalent; and rankar, a stony soil, strewn with boulders of gneiss, and of very little agricultural value. Of the total area, 85 square miles, or 42 per cent, are culti- vated, of which only 519 acres are irrigable; 49 square miles, or 25 per cent, are cultivable but not cultivated; and the rest is jungle and waste. Of the cropped area, jowar occupies 30 square miles, or 35 per cent. ; wheat, 20 square miles, or 23 per cent. ; gram, 19 square miles, or 22 per cent. ; and cotton, 5 square miles.
The only metalled road in the State is 8 miles in length, and leads to Moth, on the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. The opening of the railway in 1888 has greatly facilitated the export of gram, for which there was formerly no market. Saltpetre is exported in some quantity, mainly to Bhopal.
The administration is carried on by the chief, assisted by his wazlr (minister). The State is divided into fomflarganas, with head-quarters at Shamshergarh, Amargarh, Maharajganj, and Lohargarh, each under a tahsilddr. In all general administrative matters the wazlr has full powers. The chief exercises plenary criminal jurisdiction, and is the final court of reference in other matters.
The revenues of the State, before its territories were reduced by the Marathas, are said to have amounted to, 12 lakhs. The annual receipts are now 1-5 lakhs, mostly derived from land. The expenditure is about the same.
A regular settlement was made in 1895 by Maharaja Chhatar Singh, under which the land is farmed out and the revenue collected in cash from the patta (lease) holders, in two instalments. The incidence of the land revenue demand is Rs. 5 per acre of the cultivated area. No land is alienated in jagirs. Until Maharaja Chhatar Singh's time, when the British rupee was made legal tender, the currency consisted of the Ndna shahi rupee of Jhansi and the Datia coin.
The troops consist of the chiefs body-guard of 12 horsemen and 40 footmen, and an irregular force employed as police, which numbers 200 hoise- and 500 footmen. Theie are also six guns manned by 50 gunners. A jail, a post office, a hospital, and five schools with 190 pupils are maintained in the State.
