Rajkot 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.
Rajkot State
State in the Kathiawar Political Agency, Bombay, lying between 22 3' and 22 27' N. and 70 46' and 71 9' E , with an area of 282 square miles. It is an undulating country, with a stony soil watered by several streams, of which the Aji is perennial. The climate, though hot in the months of April, May, and October, is generally healthy. The annual rainfall averages from 20 to 25 inches.
Rajkot is an offshoot of Navanagar. The founder of the house was Kunwar Vibhoji, younger son of Ajoji, a great-grandson of Jam Raval. In 1807 the ruler executed the usual engagements. The family follows the rule of primogeniture in matters of succession, and holds a sanad authorizing adoption. The chief is entitled to a salute of 9 guns, and is adaressed as Thakur Sahib.
The population at the last four enumerations was: (1872) 36,770, (1881) 46,5403 (1891) 49*958, and (1901) 49,795. Hindus number 40,153, Musalmans 6,251, and Jains 3,352. The only town is RAJKOT, the capital, and there are 60 villages.
The total area under cultivation is 175 square miles, of which 14 square miles are irrigated. There is no uniform and fixed revenue system in the State, for 28 villages fall under the bhdgbatai or share of produce system and 3 under the vighoti or cash assessment system. The chief irrigational work is the Lalpuri tank, which supplies 3 square miles. Horse-breeding is carried on in a State paddock, contain- ing 2 stallions and 30 mares and costing about Rs. 5,000. Cattle- breeding also receives some attention. The common kinds of grain, sugar-cane, and cotton are the principal crops. They are exported from Gogha and Jodiya, and to a certain extent by rail from Wadhwan The Jetalsar-Rajkot, Morvi, and Jamnagar Railways pass through the State. Carts are the chief means of transport, but pack-bullocks and horses are also employed. Cotton and woollen cloth are the principal manu- factures, and there is one ginning factory. Exports, consisting chiefly of cotton yarn, molasses, and hides, were valued at 3 lakhs in 1903-4 ; and imports, chiefly timber, cotton, silk, and ivory, at 10 lakhs.
The State ranks as a second-class State in Kathiawar. The chief has power to try his own subjects foi capital offences. The estimated gross revenue is 3 lakhs, chiefly derived from land (2 lakhs). A tribute of Rs. 21,321 is paid jointly to the British Government and the Nawab of Junagarh. The State contains 3 municipalities, and 19 schools with a total of 1,875 pupils, of whom 359 are girls. It maintains an armed police force of 153 men, of whom 15 are mounted (1905). There are two dispensaries affording relief annually to 27,815 patients, and a travelling hospital assistant is engaged to carry medical relief to outlying villages. In 1903-4 the number of persons vaccinated was 1,122.
