Latest revision as of 07:47, 16 August 2022

[edit] Kishangarh State, 1908

[edit] Physical aspects

A State lying almost in the centre of Rajpu- tana, between 25 degree 49/ and 26 degree 59' N. and 70 degree 40' and 75 degree 11' E., with an area of 858 square miles. It is bounded on the north and north- west by Jodhpur ; on the east by Jaipur ; on the west and south-east by the British District of Ajmer; and on the extreme south by the Shah- pura chiefship. Leaving out of account five small aspects isolated patches which contain but a village or two each, the territory consists of two narrow strips of land, separated from each other, which together are about 80 miles in length from north to south, and have a breadth varying from 20 miles in the centre to about 2 at the southern extremity. The northern and larger of these two tracts is for the most part sandy, and is crossed by three parallel ranges of hills, running from south-west to north-east, which form part of the Aravallis, the highest peak being 2,045 f eet above the sea ; the southern portion of the State is generally fiat and fertile. A few streams contain water during, and immediately after, the rains. The Rupnagar, after a north-easterly course, empties itself into the Sambhar Lake, while the Mashi (with its tributary, the Sohadra) and the dain flow east and eventually join the Banas.

The hill ranges and intervening valleys in the north consist of an ancient series of highly metamorphosed sediments known as the Aravalli system, among the varied strata of which the crystalline lime- stones constituting white and coloured marbles are especially valuable. The plain in the south-east and south consists principally of gneiss. Numerous igneous intrusions penetrate this rock, and most of them are granitic pegmatites, sometimes with plates of mica of marketable size. Near the capital the intrusions belong to the exceptional group of the eleolite syenites, and are remarkable for containing an extraor- dinary variety of sodalite, acquiring, when kept in the dark for some weeks, a vivid pink tinge, which disappears in a few seconds on ex- posure to light, the mineral becoming once more colourless until again protected. Near Sarvvar in the south is a considerable outcrop of mica schists, containing an abundance of garnets remarkable for their size, transparency, and beautiful colouring.

In addition to antelope, 'ravine deer' (gazelle), and the usual small game, there are wild hog and nilgai {Boselaphus tragocamelus) in the northern and central portions of the State, and leopards, hyenas, and occasionally wolves in the hills. The climate is dry and healthy, but malarious fevers are prevalent in October and November. The annual rainfall at the capital averages between 20 and 21 inches, ranging from over 36 inches in 1892 to about 4 ½ inches in 1899. There is usually less rain to the north and slightly more to the south of the capital.

[edit] History

The chiefs of Kishangarh belong to the Rathor clan of Rajputs, and are descended from Raja Udai Singh of Jodhpur. The latter's second son, Kishan Singh, born in 1575, remained in the country of his birth till 1596, when, in consequence of some disagreement with his elder brother, Sur Singh, then Raja of Jodhpur, he took up his abode at Ajmer. Obtaining an introduction to Akbar, he received from him the district of Hindaun, now in Jaipur; and subsequently, for services rendered in recovering imperial treasure car- ried off by the Mers, he obtained a grant of Setholao and certain other districts. In 161 1 he founded the town of Kishangarh close to Setholao, which is now in ruins, and from that time the State began to be called by its present name. In Akbar's time Kishan Singh was styled Raja, but according to the State records Jahanglr gave him the title of Maharaja. He died in 1615 and has been followed by sixteen successors. The fourth of these, Rup Singh (1644-58), was a favourite of the emperor Shah Jahan, for whom he fought well and gained several victories. He thrice accompanied an expedition to Afghanistan, and was rewarded with a command of 5,000 and several estates, including the fort and district of Mandalgarh, now in Udaipur. Raj Singh, the seventh chief of Kishangarh (1706-48), fought in the battle of Jajau on the side of Shah Alam Bahadur Shah against Azam Shah, and was wounded ; he received a grant of the districts of Sarwar and Malpura, the latter of which now belongs to Jaipur. His successor, Sawant Singh, gave half the State to his younger brother, Bahadur Singh, and himself ruled at Rupnagar in the north. He was a religious recluse, and soon retired to Brindaban, where he died in 1764. His son, Sardar Singh, ruled for two years only ; and, his successor being a minor, Bahadur Singh actually governed the whole territory till his death in 1781.

The thirteenth chief was Kalyan Singh (1797-1832), and in his time (1818) Kishangarh was brought under British protection. He soon began to behave in a manner which argued either insanity or a total absence of principle. Becoming involved in disputes with his nobles, he fled to Delhi, where he busied himself in buying honorary privileges from the titular sovereign, such as the right to wear stockings in the royal presence. Meanwhile affairs grew worse at Kishangarh, and, British territory having been violated by the disputants, the leaders of both parties were called upon to desist from hostilities and to refer their grievances to the mediation of the Government. The Maharaja was at the same time warned that, if he did not return to his capital and interest himself in the affairs of his State, the treaty with him would be abrogated, and engagements formed with the insurgent Thakurs. This threat brought Kalyan Singh back to Kishangarh, but, finding himself unable to govern the State, he offered to lease it to Govern- ment. This offer was refused, and he took up his residence at Ajmer. The nobles then proclaimed the heir apparent as Maharaja, and laid siege to the capital, which they were on the point of capturing when Kalyan Singh accepted the mediation of the Political Agent, through whom matters were for the time adjusted. The reconciliation with the nobles, however, did not prove sincere, and in 1832 Kalyan Singh abdicated in favour of his son, Mohkam Singh. The latter was suc- ceeded in 1840 by his adopted son, Prithwl Singh, who carried on the administration with prudence and more than average ability. In 1867 a sum of Rs. 20,000 a year was granted by the British Government as compensation for the loss of transit dues owing to the introduction of the railway; in 1877 he received an addition of two guns to his salute for life ; and in 1879 a further sum of Rs. 25,000 a year was granted as compensation for suppressing the manufacture of salt and abolishing customs duties of every kind on all articles except spirits, opium, and intoxicating drugs. Maharaja Prithwl Singh died in 1879, an d was succeeded by his eldest son, Sardul Singh, who continued the enlight- ened policy of his father. During his rule many valuable reforms in almost every department were introduced and carried to a successful issue, and in 1892 he was created a G.C.I. E. On his death in 1900 his only son, Madan Singh, the present Maharaja, succeeded. His Highness, who is the seventeenth chief of the State, was born in 1884, was for some time an under-officer in the Imperial Cadet Corps, and was invested with powers in 1905. The Maharaja of Kishangarh is entitled to a salute of 15 guns, and in 1862 the usual sanad was granted guaranteeing the privilege of adoption.

[edit] Population

The number of towns and villages in the State in 1901 was 221, and the population at each of the three enumerations was : (1881) 112,633, Population. (l89l) I2 5'5i6, and (1901) 90,970. The decrease during the last decade of over 27 per cent, is ascribed to emigration during the famine of 1 899-1900, and to excessive mortality from fever in the autumn of 1900. The State is divided into the five districts or hukumats of Arain, Bandar Sindri, Kishangarh, Rupnagar, and Sarwar. The first four form the northern portion of the territory, with an area of 650 square miles, while Sarwar is the detached tract on the south. All the three towns (Kishangarh, Rupnagar, and Sarwar) are municipalities.

The following table gives the chief statistics of area and population in 1901 : —

At the Census of 1901, Hindus numbered 79,670, or more than 87 per cent, of the total; Musalmans, 7,169; and Jains, 4,081. The majority of the Hindus are said to be Vaishnavas, and the religious head of the Nimbarak Sampradaya (a sect of Vaishnavas) resides at Sallmabad in the Rupnagar district. The language mainly spoken in the State is a form of Dhundari, but in the north many speak Marwarl. The most numerous caste is that of the Jats, who number 16,000, or more than 17 per cent, of the total. Next come the Mahajans (7,600) ; the Brahmans (7,100); the Gujars (6,100); and the Rajputs (5,100), more than half of whom are of the ruling clan. The main occupation of the people is agriculture ; nearly 45 per cent, live solely by the land, and there are many others who are partially agriculturists. About 18 per cent, are engaged in industries such as cotton-weaving and dyeing, pottery, work in precious stones, &c. ; and nearly 6 per cent, in commerce. Of the 31 Christians enumerated in 1901, all but one were natives, but their denomination was not returned. The United Free Church of Scotland Mission has a small branch at the capital, and a native pastor of the American Methodist Church resides at Rupnagar.

[edit] Agriculture

Agricultural conditions vary in different parts of the State. In the north, where the soil is sandy and the rainfall less than elsewhere, there is practically but one harvest, the kharif, and the principal crops are bajra, jowar, mung, and moth. In the centre the soil, though still poor, is firmer, the rainfall heavier, and there are several irrigation works. Maize and til take the place of bajra in the kharif, while the rabi or spring crops consist of barley, wheat, gram, and cotton. The southern portion of the State is in every way the most favoured, and excellent crops are gathered in both autumn and spring.

Agricultural statistics are available from 1 900-1, but only for the khalsa area, or land paying revenue direct to the State. This area is estimated at one-third of the total, or about 286 square miles. Returns exist for about 200 square miles, and the net area cropped in 1903-4 was 153 square miles. The areas under principal crops were, in square miles, approximately: jowar, 40; barley, 25; maize, 23; bajra, 17; til, 17; cotton, n ; gram, 7; and wheat, 5. A few acres were also under tobacco, poppy, linseed, and a coarse kind of rice.

The local cattle are described as of the Gujarati type, being of medium size but capable of hard work. Efforts are being made to improve the breed by importing bulls from Hissar and Nagaur. A cattle fair is held yearly in August at Sursara, near Riipnagar. Mule- breeding was started on a small scale in 1901, but is not popular. Sheep and goats are kept in considerable numbers to provide wool, meat, milk, and manure.

Of the net area cropped in 1903-4, 73 square miles, or 48 per cent., were irrigated : namely, 30 from tanks, 38 from wells, and 5 from other sources. The subject of irrigation has for the last forty years received the special attention of the Darbar, and very few sites for tanks now remain in the central and southern districts. In the khalsa area alone there are 175 tanks and 2,500 wells available for irrigation.

There are no real forests, but several blocks of scrub jungle and grass, having a total area of 41 square miles, are protected. The sale of timber, grass, and minor produce brings in about Rs. 18,000 a year, and the annual expenditure is about Rs. 4,000. The principal minerals now worked are garnets near the town of Sarwar. The Silora stone quarries near the capital yield slabs excellent for roofing and flooring, and are managed by the State Public Works department. The yearly out-turn is about 40,000 cubic feet, valued at Rs. 10,000. The white marble quarries at Tonkra will supply material for the proposed Victoria Memorial Hall at Calcutta ; a pink variety is found at Narwar, west of the capital, and a black at Jhak and other places in the north. A black mineral paint, discovered in 1886, has been successfully tried on the Rajputana-Malwa and Jodhpur- Blkaner Railways and on ocean steamers.

[edit] Trade and communications

The indigenous industries consist of the manufacture of chintzes and coloured cloths, lace, and drinking vessels and bottles made from khas- kkas grass (Afidropogon muricatus). The establish- ment of mills an d lactones as joint-stock concerns with limited liability under a local Company Act has been encouraged. There are two steam hydraulic cotton-presses worked by the State, which in 1903-4 employed an average of 182 hands and pressed about 520 tons of cotton and wool. One of these is at the capital, where also there is a spinning- and weaving-mill and a soap factory.

The chief exports are cotton, wool, caraway, and ghil, while the chief imports are sugar, salt, piece-goods, and cereals. A good deal of the cotton is exported to Agra, Aligarh, Cawnpore, and Hathras.

Since 1875 the Rajputana-Malwa Railway has traversed the northern portion of the State from south-west to north-east ; its length within Kishangarh territory is about 13 miles, and there is one station — at the capital. The total length of metalled roads is 35 miles, and of un- metalled roads So miles. The Government of India maintains 28 miles of the metalled roads : namely, ro miles of the Agra-Ahmad- abad road and 18 miles of the Naslrabad-Deoli road.

There are four British post offices in the State, three of which are also telegraph offices. The Darbar has also its own postal system and postage stamps, maintaining thirteen local post offices and ten runners over a length of 65 miles. The postal income and expenditure are about Rs. 2,400 and Rs. 1,000 respectively.

[edit] Famine

The State has suffered from constant scarcities. In 1755-6 the fort at the capital, and in 1783-4 the town walls, were built as relief works. The records show that there was famine in 1803-4, in 1848-9, and more or less continuously between 1868 and 1872. In 1891 the rainfall was less than 8 inches; the crops failed, and fodder was very scarce. One-fifth of the people emigrated, and more than 42,000 cattle died. The average number relieved daily for a period of eight months was 1,400, and the total expenditure, including loans to agriculturists, was i-8 lakhs. The worst famine of which there is any detailed account was that of 1899- 1900. The preceding two years had been indifferent ones ; the rainfall in 1899 was barely 4! inches, the kharif crop failed entirely, and the whole State was affected. The measures adopted by the Darbar were wise and humane, and the relief was both effective and economical. The works were mainly irrigation projects, but the garnet quarries also afforded useful and congenial employment. More than five million units were relieved on works, or gratuitously, and the total expenditure exceeded 3-5 lakhs. Owing to scarcity of fodder and water, 70 per cent, of the cattle are said to have perished. There was again famine in 1 901-2, and one million units were relieved at a cost (including remissions of land revenue) of about 1-7 lakhs.

[edit] Administration

The administration is carried on by the Maharaja, assisted by a Council of two members, the senior of whom is styled Diwan. I he head-quarters district of Kishan- garh is directly under the Revenue Commissioner, while each of the remaining hukumafs is under an official called hakim. In each district are several tahsildars and naib-tahsildars, who are purely revenue officers.

For the guidance of its judiciary the State has its own Codes and Acts, based largely on those of British India. Of the four hakims, one has the powers of a third-class magistrate, and the rest are second-class magistrates, while all of them can try civil suits of any value arising in their respective districts. Criminal cases beyond their powers are heard by the Sadr Faujdari Court, the presiding officer of which has the powers of a first-class magistrate and is also magistrate for the Kishangarh district. The civil work of the latter district is disposed of partly by the Small Cause Court, and partly by the Sadr Diwani, or chief civil court. The next tribunal is the Appellate Court, which, besides hearing all appeals (civil and criminal), has the powers of a Sessions Judge. The Council is the highest court in the State ; it hears special appeals, exercises general supervision, and when presided over by the Maharaja can pass death sentences.

The normal revenue of Kishangarh is about 4-6 lakhs, and the expenditure 4-2 lakhs. The chief sources of revenue are : land (in- cluding irrigation), 1-5 lakhs; customs (including Rs. 45,000 received as compensation from the British Government), Rs. 60,000 ■ cotton- mill and presses, &c, Rs. 25,000 ; and judicial (including stamps), Rs. 21,000. The main items of expenditure are: administrative staft (civil and judicial), 2-6 lakhs ; palace and privy purse, Rs. 70,000 ; army and police, Rs. 40,000 ; and public works (including irrigation), Rs. 33,000. The financial position is sound ; for while there are no debts, there is a considerable cash balance and a further sum of about 2-8 lakhs is invested in Government securities and the local cotton- presses, mills, &c.

The State has its own coinage, and there have been several issues since the mint was started. The rupee now most common is known as the Cliaubisania (twenty-fourth year) ; once worth about thirteen British annas, it now exchanges for barely eleven, and it is proposed to convert the local currency when the rate becomes more favourable. The land tenures are the usual jaglr, muaft, and khaha. The jaglrdars have to serve with their quota of horsemen, or make a cash payment in lieu, and ordinarily attend the Maharaja on his birthday and certain festivals. Their estates descend from father to son, or, with the sanction of the Darbar, to an adopted son, but are liable to resumption for serious offences against the State. Mudfi grants, or lands held by individuals such as Brahmans, Charans, and Bhats, or by charitable and religious institutions, are rent free, inalienable, and may be resumed on failure of heirs. In the khaha area or crown lands the cultivators are for the most part tenants-at-will, liable at any time to be dispossessed, though they are rarely evicted. The land revenue is generally paid in kind, the Darbar's share vary- ing from one-fourth to one-third of the produce. In some parts, how- ever, and in the case of such crops as cotton, poppy, maize, tobacco, and spices, the revenue is collected in cash, the rates varying from Rs. 6 to Rs. 18 per acre. Special concessions are made to those who bring new land under cultivation or sink new wells ; they pay the Darbar one-ninth, or sometimes one-eleventh, of the gross pro- duce the first year, one-eighth or one-tenth in the second year, and so on till the usual one-third is reached.

The military force consists of 220 regulars (84 cavalry and 136 infantry) and 1,739 irregulars (836 cavalry and 903 infantry). The irregular cavalry are supplied by the jaglrdars. There are 65 guns, serviceable and unserviceable, and 35 artillerymen.

Police duties are performed by a force of 511 of all ranks, in- cluding 1S7 Rajput sepoys from the irregular infantry, and 91 village chaukidars. There are nine police stations and numerous outposts, the latter being mostly manned by the jagir militia. Besides the Central jail and a small prison for persons under trial at the capital, there are three district jails — at Arain, Rtipnagar, and Sarwar — in which persons sentenced to one month or less are confined. These five jails have accommodation altogether for 153 prisoners.

In the literacy of its population Kishangarh stands fourth among the twenty States and chiefships of Rajputana, with 4-6 per cent. (8-4 males and 0-4 females) able to read and write. There are now 29 educational institutions in the State, attended by about 1,000 pupils, of whom 70 are girls. Of these schools, 17 are maintained by the Darbar at a cost of about Rs. 6,500 a year, 2 by the United Free Church of Scotland Mission, and the rest by private individuals. The only secondary school is the Maharaja's high school at the capital. An education cess calculated at 1 per cent, of the land revenue has been imposed since 1902.

The State possesses one hospital and three dispensaries ; and in 1904 the number of cases treated was 25,584, of whom 95 were in-patients, and 655 operations were performed. The total expendi- ture was about Rs. 5,000. Vaccination is backward. In 1904-5 the number of persons successfully vaccinated was 1,880, or about 21 per 1,000 of the population.

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.