'Baroda Enquiry Commission Report, 1874' [‎111v] (227/502)

50
SCHEDULE No. II.—
Complaints of Baroda Subjects.
Remarks.
Continuation of the instances of oppres
sion now being carried out by the
Gaekwar officials in the Nowsari Dis
trict.
The case of these women was submitted
in case No. 30 of this schedule, but
under the orders of the Commission ;
No. 20, dated 26th November 1873, pro
hibiting inquiry into the details of the
revenue administration, it was not
gone into.
Their importunity in complaining to all
the British authorities now at Baroda
has led to this record of their case.
Note. —It appears on inquiry that the
husbands of these women originally
held land in their village under a 10
years' lease. Some of them died;
others deserted the country. The Dur
bar re-let the land to other people ; but
still hold the widows and families of
the original deceased or absent holders,
responsible for any loss they profess to
sustain by re-letitng the said land.
It should also be noted that it is the principal officials of the
Nowsari District who were concerned in violating our ^ extra
dition laws, by seizing the Parsee Bapoojee Cursetjee in the
limits of the Surat Zilla. . .
The proceedings of the Baroda 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). in Nowsari m connec
tion with their proclamation enjoining general abstinence from
animal food during the month of August last are worthy of
consideration, as showing an intolerant spirit, a desire to
interfere with the civil liberty of other castes than Hindoos^
such as ParseeSj Mahomedans, &c. 7 and finally unnecessary
delay in countermanding the obnoxious orders after a promise
had been given to the Tiesident to do so without delay.
On the 20th December, a number of widows, &c., of the village
of Wurriow, in the Nowsari District, appeared before the
Commission,' by order of the Resident. These poor people
have been wandering about Baroda for more than a month
past. The Resident interested the Minister on their behalf
not long since, and it was arranged that they should return
home to have their grievances redressed by the Wywutdar,
Data Govind. They have now returned again to complain
that nothing has been done for them. ^ , I
At the request of the President of the Commission, the Resi
dent, accompanied by Mr. Bapoobhai, 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, pre
sent, went outside the Committee room, to speak to the per
sons in question, when itwas arranged that the Wywutdar Data
Govind should be summoned to Baroda to state their case.
In the meantime they have themselves made the following
statements before the Resident :— ^ M
1st Ibrahim Bhai Meya, a Borah, residing in Wurriow
village, of the Nowsari District, who has been acting as Agent
for these people, states as follows on solemn affirmation:—
For the last four years I have been petitioning 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). ^ on
behalf of the women now present. All my representations
have been made to the Sir Sooba; I have always been refer
red by him to the Sooba of Nowsari, and by the latter to the
Wywutdar of Wurrione, who refused to take any notice of
my representations; this treatment has been adopted for the
last four or five years. I have also petitioned the Resident
on more than one occasion, but I have always been referred
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). . . T
When therefore we heard of the arrival of the Commission 1
came with the petitioners to lay their grievances personally
before the Commission.
I first made a representation to the Resident about a month
ago who mentioned their case both to the Mahrajah and t e
Minister. The Minister took us away and told us to go to
Hurriba. Hurriba gave me a written order to take to the
Sooba of Nowsari; this order I delivered to the Soobas
Karkoon named Bulwantrow; the Karkoon read it, endorse
it, and asked me to take it to the Wywutdar at Wurno^-
I delivered it in person to the Wywutdar at Wurriow. e
said that it contained no order whatever, and told me to ta e
the petitioners away. He said that he would write to ^
Sooba about it. I had no confidence in what he said, an
therefore I came again to Baroda to represent this case.
Wurriow is 50 coss from here, and the petitioners nave
travelled this long distance twice to get a hearing. I P ra ^|
that justice may be done there.
(Signed)
Baroda, 20^ December 1873.
Before me,
A. C. BOEVEY,
Assistant Resident.

'Baroda Enquiry Commission Report, 1874' [‎111v] (227/502)

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'Baroda Enquiry Commission Report, 1874' [‎111v] (227/502)

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