'Statement of Witnesses taken by Colonel Phayre' [‎9r] (17/40)

8
The examination of Faizoo Rumzain having been recorded, he is ordered to
be placed in confinement, pending further enquiry.
(Sd.) R. P hatri, Col., Resident.
November 11th, 1874.
November 11th, 1874.
Pedeo de Souza , Portuguese, age about 37 years, butler in the service of Colonel R.
Phayre, C. B.. Resident ;—
I have been in the service of Colonel Phayre about 25 years, and I accompanied him to
Baroda. I went on leave to G-oa on the 3rd October last, and returned again on Novem
ber 3rd. Salam Arab Sowar In the East India Company army and later Indian Army, an ordinary native cavalryman or mounted cavalryman. of the Maharaja, has been in the habit of going to the 8ervant3 ,
quarters. When he comes he usually goes to Faizoo's room, and sits outside on the veran
dah. Next to Faizoo^s room is the Ayah's room, and a dwarf wall divides those two rooms
from mine, I have never seen him sit anywhere else.
Since I came from leave on the 3rd instant, I have seen Salam twice. On Monday last,
the 9th instant, I saw him sitting, as usual, outside Faizoo's room, in the verandah. I did not
see whether Faizoo was there or not. At that time the Maharaja had not arrived. It was
about 9 o'clock. I was then employed in plucking some quail that had just been brought in.
I have also seen a man whom they call the Kazee go to Faizoo^s room. I do not know who
the Kazee is, but he used also to come to see the Rev. Mr. Taylor. He used, also, to come at
other times. He has been in the habit of coming to Faizoo's room, and sitting there for
long periods together, lie usually comes on horseback, and wears a white turban tightly
bound. No other jassoods or personal servants of the Maharaja ever go to the servants' quarters.
I have not seen any other people from the city go to Faizoo's quarters.
I have been solicited by Nur Ollah, former Chobdar, to go down to the city to
the Maharaja's Palace. I told my master of it at the time, and Nur Ollah was discharged.
Since that I have not been solicited by any one.
Faizoo sleeps as often in the city as he does here. I suspected Faizoo of being concerned
in the matter of administering poison to the Resident, because of his connection with the
city, his intimacv with Salam and others who live in the city. He also sometimes makes the
sherbet and has access at all times to the Resident's private office room. He is also in the
pay of the Durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). .
Govind Baloo, the old Hamal, who looks after the Resident's private office, dressingt-able,
bathing water, &c., always shuts up the Resident's room the last thing at night, and goes
off to his room to sleep. Faizoo or Abdoolla, whoever may be on duty, leaves the bungalow
about the same time. Throughout the whole day also, except during meal time, iaizoo and
Govind are always present on duty in the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. .
This examination, having been read over to the witness in Hindoostanee— a language
which he understands—is acknowledged by him to be correct.
Mark t of Pedro DeSouza.
Before me this 11th day of November 1874.
(Sd.) R. Phayrk , Col., Resident.
Novembee 11th, 1874.
Antone John de Souza , Portuguese, aged about 24 years, cook to Colonel R. Phayre>
C.B., Resident:—
I have been empoyed in 0 jlonel Phayre's service as cook for the last seven or eight years,
and I accompanied him to Baroda. The Maharaja's Arab Sowar In the East India Company army and later Indian Army, an ordinary native cavalryman or mounted cavalryman. , Salam, is in the habit of com
ing to Faizoo's quarters twice in the week when the Maharaja visits the Resident. I know
this because the cook-room is opposite those quarters, and I can see what goes on. I have
also seen him come at other times on special occasions, and he then always goes to Faizoo s
room. I have also seen a person called Kazee, who always goes to Faizoo, and who visits the
Reverend Mr. Taylor when he comes to Baroda. I have also seen the Kazee referred to a
great many times when Mr. Taylor was not at Baroda. I have once enquired of l aizoo why
this Kazee always came. Faizoo replied that he came to get news of Mr. Taylor. The Kazee,
however, stayed a long time at each visit, much longer than was necessary to make such
enquiries. I cannot say positively whether the Kazee came last week or not when Mr. Taylor
was here. ... , t j xi
Other persons also have come from the city to visit Faizoo, but I do not know tbem.
On Monday, the 9th instant, I saw Salam, as usual, outside Faizoo's quarters. No one ever
comes into the cook-room. No one has ever made any overtures to me about going to the
city, or anything else.
Faizoo usually sleeps in the city, but sometimes sleeps here.
On one occasion Pedro asked him why he went to the city bo often, and Faizoo got angry
and said that he never left without telling Abdoola.