'Baroda Enquiry Commission Report, 1874' [‎10r] (24/502)

11
The ftppointment of Bhao Sindia as Minister in 1867 appears to have still
further aggravated the state of things previously existing, his character being, it
is alleged, extremely venal and rapacious. The accession of the present Chief has
merely resulted in the change of some of the officials, but without benefit to the
country or the people, for there has been no change in the system, and the craving
for acquiring wealth, however irregularly or improperly, has been doubtless as
keen amongst the new employes, as those displaced by them; while the Maharaj
himself, appears, unhappily, to have been bent On increasing his revenue by impru
dent and oppressive means.
18. Under such circumstances, it appears to us to be hopeless to look for
any effectual measures of reform and improved government at the hands of the pre
sent Ruler and his advisers, and we are convinced that these can only be introduce
ed through the intervention and under the auspices of the British Government. At
the same time, we have no doubt that it will be quite in the power of the Maharaja
to ensure success to the measures that may be so authorised, and to render further
interference unnecessary, by accepting them frankly, and giving his cordial support
to the Minister who may be appointed with the approval of the British Govern
ment. '
19. Before closing this part of the Report, it will be proper for us 'to refer
to the issue by the Resident, under our authority, of a notice, intimating that
persons appearing to give evidence before the Commission, would be under his
protection as Resident, in respect of bond evidence so given by them; and to
some other points requiring remark.
The issue of the notice w T as authorised by us in consequence of the Resident's
representation that, without some such assurance, it was not to be expected that
complainants would venture to come forward ; but we were much concerned to
find, on the receipt of the copy of your Despatch to the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. ,
No. 4 c. p ., dated 15th November 187.3, (forwarded under your Office docket
No. 5 c. p ., of the same date), that the course we had been led to take was op
posed to the views and intentions of the Government of India, as set forth in
para. 3 of that Despatch.
A copy of the Notice, as amended by us, will be found in the appendix to
this Report, and we will only add that, in its application to the witnesses who
appeared before us, the instructions conveyed in your message on the Subject,
dated 22nd November i 873, were carefully borne in mind and acted on.
2u. With regard to the hope expressed in the Kharita An important letter usually sent in an elaborate textile pouch, dispatched as part of the royal or diplomatic correspondence of rulers and elites. , dated 19th Septem
ber 1873, from His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor General to His Highness
the Gaekwar, that he would afford to the Commission every assistance in his power
during its investigations, we deem it right to state for the information of His
Excellency in Council, that we had, generally, every reason to be satisfied with
the arrangements made by 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). with the above object, so far as they came
under our observation. The conduct of the principal 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). Agent who attended
the sittings of the Commission, and those appointed with him, w T as friendly and
free from obstruction, and our references through him to 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). , where such
were necessary in any of the cases that came before us, were duly and generally
promptly dealt with.
There were seme complaints of obstruction by 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). Officials to parties
who desired to state their grievances to the Commission, and one of ill-treatment
of certain ryots who had visited Baroda, and represented their hardships to the
Resident, which were laid before the Ccmmission tco late for any enquiry by it.
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). Agent, however, premised that these complaints should be duly
enquired into, and the result reported to the Resident.
On its part, the Ccmmission was scrupulously careful to avoid any proceeding,
that might have the effect of rendering the enquiry it was conducting, more
distasteful and painful to His Highness, than was absolutely unavoidable under the
circumstances. ,

'Baroda Enquiry Commission Report, 1874' [‎10r] (24/502)

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'Baroda Enquiry Commission Report, 1874' [‎10r] (24/502)

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