'Baroda Enquiry Commission Report, 1874' [‎37r] (78/502)

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The last column" but one, it will be •seen, shews the amount now paid as
u Ghas Dana," whilst the last column shews the percentage increase during the
period ranging from the last ten to twenty years, since when the rates have fluc
tuated. Looking carefully at these figures, and bearing in mind that the acreage
and revenue have probably been understated by the Thakors, the Commission is
of opinion that the enhanced assessments have not been excessive.
7 . The next grievance of the Thakors, which the Commission thinks should
be enquired into, is the alleged reduction of " Giras Haks," and the imposition,
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). , of the Inam Committee tax of two annas in the rupee, on the re
duced sums. On this subject 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). and Thakors are at issue on a matter of
fact. It appears that some years ago previous to, and during the reign of the
late Gaekwar, it was the custom for the Bijapur Thakors to levy direct from the
villagers, their Griras Haks. These haks, it may be explained, were a species of
black mail paid by the villagers throughout Guzerat to the turbulent freebooting
classes, to induce them to abstain from robbery and pillage. The custom of
directly levying these Giras Haks from the villagers proving inconvenient and
liable to lead to disturbances, and the power of the exacting Girasias to make
themselves offensive growing less, 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). authorities, very wisely it seems to
the Commission, directed all Thakors and Girasias to abstain from making their
levies direct, undertaking themselves to collect their dues from the villagers, and
hand them over to the Thakors and other Girasias. Exactly a similar course
was, many years ago, adopted by the British Government with reference to simi
lar payments levied by the Girasias throughout the British districts in Gujerat.
The Thakors now allege that theGaekwar's Government does not hand overto them
all the amounts they collect as " Giras." 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). declares that it does. On
this point no evidence was produced by the Thakors, neither, probably, was it
procurable. In the British territories however, when the change in the mode of
collecting the dues was effected, the Girasias were proved in many instances, in
collusion with the hereditary and stipendiary servants of Government, to have
caused larger sums to be entered in the Government records as their dues than
they had previously received from the villagers. It is not impossible that similar
attempts at imposition are being practised now. Be that however as it may, the
Commission is not in a position to state, in the absence of trustworthy evidence,
on which side the truth lies. As regards the imposition of the Inam Committee
tax of two annas in the rupee on the reduced sums, it should be mentioned that
the tax is imposed on all alienations from the State, and is not confined to these
Giras dues. The Commission having discussed this tax, in its general aspect,
elsewhere, there is no necessity for considering it particularly with reference to
the Bijapur Thakors.
8. The last grievance of the Thakors into which the Commission thinks it
necessary to inquire, is in connection with the " Gadi Nazarana," which was a
levy of 25 per cent, on the land assessment, and 40 per cent, on all alienated
lands and Inams of every description throughout the Baroda State, levied for one
year, to commemorate the accession to the Gadi of the present Chief. This
grievance is not more pressing on the Thakors of Bijapur than on other hakdars
and cultivators ;the only difference being that the former have so far successfully
resisted its payment. With reference to this " Gadi Nazarana," it has already
been mentioned elsewhere that prior to its imposition, His Highness the Gaekwar
declares that he spoke on the subject to the late Resident, Colonel Barr, and
informed him of his intentions, and that Colonel Barr replied that he should in
such a matter follow his own inclination. The Commission sees no reason to
doubt that such was actually the case ; and though it is to be regretted that such
a general and heavy tax, though limited to one year, was imposed, the Commis
sion does not consider that any further remarks on its part, on this subject, are
necessary.
9. In concluding its observations on the case of the Bijapur Thakors, the
Commission would desire to point out that the Resident seems to have been