'Baroda Enquiry Commission Report, 1874' [‎93v] (191/502)

14
SCHEDULE No.
General attachment of Wuttuns through
out the Baroda State,
1. Arbitrary confiscations in the case of
many of the Sirdars Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. .
2. Hurree Bhugtee's case, Banker.
3. Moto Lai Samul's case, Banker.
4. Bullasir Desai (guaranteed by Govern
ment) .
5. Chunilal Pitambar, Banker.
6. Bapoobhai HurivuluK, firm of Rutton-
jee Khandass, Banker.
7. Bulwuntrow Gunesh Sadashiv.
8. Mahdevrow Gunesh.
9. Chunilal Chotilal Bapoobhai.
10. Mohwa and Wulwara Desai.
^ Note .—Tn the administration report for 1871, in
whicli His Highness 8 accession is reported, Colone
Barr speaks in paragraph 10 of the assessment
as f high; but makes no mention of the Gadi Nnze-
rana. ^ The Government expressed their opinion
on this report " that there Seems to be no doubt
that considerable reforms are called for in manv
branches of the administration"—paragraph 6.Go-
vemment Resolution 2394, dated 6th June' 1871.
E bmarks.
It is believed that para. 5 of the opening statement of ^
Schedule states in general terms the revenue grievances of the
ryots ; but that without detailed inquiry by a special ofificGr
will be impossible to arrive at the real merits of the case. |
The Revenue Sir Suba, Hurriba Gaekwar,andhisDeputy,Narayen.
bhai, have, it is believed, conducted the administration of
this department for the last 8 or 10 years. The latter was
formerly in the service of the British Government under the
Rewa Kanta, and the circumstances under which he left the
British service in connection with charges of bribery brought
against him, can be brought forward. He has a residence
in British territory at Nariad and is the popularly reputed
possessor of great wealth.
A correspondence will also be produced regarding the non-employ,
ment of Hurriba Gaekwar, in consequence of his connection
with certain intrigues in Calcuttta.
The subject of the general attachment of Wuttuns, and in
many instances the confiscation of Inams, Jagheers, and other
hereditary property belonging to the various classes in the
Baroda State, has on many occasions been forced on the
notice of the Resident in connection with numerous cases that
have been brought before him, a few examples of whicli are
given in the margin.
The general attachment of Wuttuns, which is notorious, has been
in force for the last 8 or 10 years. It was resorted to pend
ing an inquiry, which however has never been carried out
The Minister, who, on my speaking to him on the subject,
admitted the fact, stated that in many instances sums for
marriages and such like expenses have been granted to Wut-
tundars; he informed me however that now, on my repre
sentation, all Wuttuns had been released from attadiment
pending inquiry, and the copy of an order to this effect has
been produced before the Resident by the Agent of one of the
Wuttundars whose Wuttun has been under attachment for the
last 10 years.
The subject being considered one of very great importance, as a
specimen of unjust administration, owing to the promised
inquiry not having been instituted, and the Wuttuns virtually
confiscated, a Yad was addressed 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). , No. 2778, of
November 18th, requesting, with reference to the Minister's
verbal representation—(that orders had been given to release the
Wuttuns from attachment,) that a copy of the official instruc
tions on the subject which had been issued 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).
might be furnished to the Resident, who proposed to bring
the subject to the notice of the Commission for the purpose of
ascertaining the exact facts of the case,
it is submitted that this general attachment of wuttuns and the
Gadi * Nuzerana tax form subjects of real and universal griev
ance throughout the State. It is strange that the late Colonel
Barr mentioned neither of the^e heavy burdens in his admii^'
tration reports for either 1871 or 1872. In paragraph 26 oi
the latter he refers to the restoration . of certain allowance 8
under the head of Devusthan, which had been discontiniied
or 3 years ^ before, the attachment of which had .caused
' universal distrust" under fear that confiscation was intende J
but he omitted the larger question of Wuttuns, Inams, Jag^M
&c. He speaks indeed of an Inam village having been res ^ 01 A I
by the present Gaekwar to Gunnesh Sudashiv, together w#
its full emoluments, for services during the mutiny, and pra 1 ^ ,
His Highness for having done this act of justice ; but I ie ° re I
to say that the promise made to Colonel Barr has not bee |
performed, and the point which Colonel Barr especially ^ |
tended for was withdrawn directly he left Baroda.