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'Baroda Enquiry Commission Report, 1874' [139v] (283/502)
The record is made up of 1 volume (249 folios). It was created in 1 Nov 1873-14 Feb 1874. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
2
the evidence of those who had apprehended him, he was found guilty of the
heinous crime of profaning the Hindu religion. The proceedings m this case, as
well as tlie prisoner, were ordered to be sent up to the Huzur, and bnastns (ex-
pounders of laws) were consulted as to the nature of the punishment to be
awarded for such a crime on the authority of Maim Smrati, Para slum, and other
works on Hindu laws. The Shastris declared that such a graceless profaner
should be put to death. This was, however, deemed too severe a punishment, and
we thought it advisable to sentence him to rigorous imprisonment for seven years.
He was undergoing the sentence, of which four months only had expired, when
released.
Subjects residing within the British territory, or within what is termed the
Mulukgiri limits, if apprehended in the act of committing offences within the Gapk-
war's territory are tried and punished by the Courts of this Grovernment, according
to the law administered by themj and after the expiration of the teim of punish
ment, the authority of the district, ofwhichthe offender happens to be a native,
is informed of the same.
This practice, and its vice versa, have been in existence from an ancient time.
The offender under notice was accordingly apprehended while in the act of
committing an offence within the limits of the territory of this (jovernment, and
w r as tried, convicted, and sentenced according to the laws in force.
There is nothing in this proceecHng which may be deemed unjust or informal.
In the month of June last the British Resident, in a memorandum No. 1686,
written probably on an application from the criminal's father, Tisla Govinda,
desired 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).
to release the prisoner from confinement, and send him to 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.
on the day after the next to that of the memo., and to investigate the
charges advanced against the Vahivatdar and Foujdar of Atarsumba, of receiving
a bribe of Rs. 200, and taking an agreement for an additional bribe of Rs. 300, of
which 20 were actually paid.
This requisition on the part of the Resident was a novel one, and contrary to
the existing practice.
It was therefore necessary for us to consider how we were to act, and while
this subject was under consideration, the memo. No. 1704 was received from the
Resident to the same effect.
We therefore, in deference to the wishes of the Resident, and with a view to
avoid discussion, set the criminal at liberty, and informed the Resident of the
same in our reply.
As regards the alleged charges of receiving bribes, the Resident was re
quested to send the complainant, with whatever proofs he possessed, to the Gaekwar
Government. As no one has yet appeared before us, no investigation could be
set on foot; and the Vahivatdar, who was made to furnish security, is suffering
from the state of suspense under which he has been placed.
The practice alluded to in the Resident's memo. No. 1704, in connection
Avith offences by parties residing in what are stated the Mulukgiri limits, is not in
force. That described above is^ we assure, actually in force.
Final Statement by the Resident.
The general facts of this case are reported in para. 3 of my letter to Govern
ment, No. dated 18th August 1873.
2. If has not been inquired into by the Commission owing to the absence
of Nathuva Tisla himself, through severe illness contracted during his false impri
sonment of 4 months in the Baroda Jail, consequently it is still pending.
. 3- 1 ho
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).
have, however, put forward certain statements which re
quire
A booklet formed of a single gathering of nested bifolia.
notice.
About this item
- Content
Report of the Baroda Enquiry Commission on the administration of the government of Malharrao, Gaekwar of Baroda. The Commission comprised Richard John Meade (President), Edward William Ravenscroft, Mumtazul Dowlah Nawab An honorific title; an official acting as a provincial deputy ruler in South Asia; or a significant Muslim landowner in nineteenth century India. Faiz Ali Khan, Colonel Alfred Thomas Etheridge and Thomas Duncan Mackenzie (Secretary).
The report comprises a letter from the members of the Baroda Enquiry Commission to the Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department presenting their report on the results of the proceedings and submitting copies of correspondence, reports and statements relative to the enquiry (ff 5-19):
Appendix A, Part I
- Schedules I-III: Complaints and grievances against the Gaekwar's Government from individuals and groups (ff 21-78).
- Appendix B, Schedules I-III: Cases of complaint and grievance which the commission did not look into during the enquiry (ff 79-81).
- Appendix C: Letter from Colonel Richard John Meade, President, Special Commission of Enquiry on Baroda Affairs, to Colonel Robert Phayre, Resident at Baroda, 1 November 1873 (ff 82-83).
- Appendix D: Translation of an amended notice issued by the Resident to complainants desirous of appearing before the Baroda Enquiry Commission (ff 84-85).
- Appendix E: Schedules presented to the Commission along with Colonel Phayre's introductory statement regarding them. (ff 86-131).
- Appendix F: Letter No. 1128 of 1873 from Colonel Phayre to the President, Baroda Commission regarding the cases already submitted to the Commission, the List of undisposed petitions to be attended to by the Resident which could be used as additional cases if required and the statements that he had yet to make on cases under enquiry by the Commission (ff 132-133).
- Appendix G, Schedule I: Statements from witnesses with cross examination statements from 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 Gaekwar and statements from the Resident as to the accuracy of the information provided (ff 134-229).
Appendix Part II (ff 231-245)
- Letter from James Braithwaite Peile, Acting Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Kattywar [Kathiawar] to T D Mackenzie, Secretary, Baroda Commission, 13 December 1873 regarding papers requested by the Commission and informing them that the outstanding paper will be forwarded as soon as they are received. Enclosed with the letter are a memorandum from Peile for reconstitution of His Highness the Gaekwar's Contingent in Kattywar, 13 December 1873 and Rule for the guidance of the Officers and Kamdars appointed to the Contingent of Horse of His Highness the Gaekwar, serving in the various Tributary Mahals according to treaty.
- Letter from Peile to Mackenzie, 6 January 1874, forwarding a report and returns received from Colonel Walker, Superintendent to the Gaekwar's Contingent in Kattywar and stating that he does not concur with the Colonel's opinion. Enclosed with this letter is a letter from Colonel Chamberlen William Walker, 30 December 1873, providing the information on the Contingent requested by the Commission and enclosing an extract of the Contingents annual report for 1871 and a statement of the men within the Contingent on duty under officials paid by Talukdars etc, 06 March 1872.
- Letters from John Whaley Watson, Acting Political Superintendent Pahlanpur [Palanpur], Captain Henry Nicholas Reeves, Acting Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. Rewa Kanta [Rewa Kantha] and Major Philip Harrison Le Geyt, Acting Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Mahi Kanta [Mahi Kantha] to the secretary of the Baroda Commission 19 December 1873 to 9 January 1874 reporting on the Gaekwar's contingents serving within their districts and commenting on numbers of men, pay and conditions. The letters all refer to enclosed returns, but only the return for Mahi Kanta is included in the report.
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (249 folios)
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the main sequence of foliation consists of a small pencil number in the top front right hand corner of each folio enclosed in a circle.
There is also an original sequence of foliation which consists of larger pencil numbers also in the top front right hand corner of folios, however the sequence is not consistent and some of the numbers may be filing references rather than foliation numbers.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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- Reference
- Mss Eur F126/78
- Title
- 'Baroda Enquiry Commission Report, 1874'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:248v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence