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Letter from Colonel Sir Lewis Pelly, Baroda to His Lordship Lord Northbrook, Viceroy of India [1v] (2/10)
The record is made up of 5 folios. It was created in 13 Dec 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 )
His Highness added that he himself would go over all the state
ments with me at a private visit, and would suggest reductions.
2nd. —He asked me to enquire carefully into the condition of land
revej||ie, and to satisfy myself as to the causes of the recent
passive resistance, on the part of the agriculturalists, to the col
lection of revenue—a resistance which he attributes, as does the
Minister also, to an organized system of agitation by designing
persons.
3rd. —After renewing his assurance that he would thoroughly support
his Minister in reform, and attend to our advice. His Highness
begged—
(1) that, in making financial reductions, care might be taken
in regard to religious claims, with which it would be
hazardous and distasteful to him to meddle;
(2) that it might be borne in mind that the present revenues
of the State were little more than two-thirds what they
were ten years ago; and
(3) His Highness repeatedly begged that, when affairs shall have
been gone into and put in train to your Excellency's
approval, the new Resident may be instructed to adhere
to the same course. His Highness said that no consist
ent system has been observed by us in our relations
with the Baroda State, and that the Ruler never knew
what change in policy might have place consequent
upon a change in our 'personnel.
I will now resume, under their several headings, the results of my enquiries
consequent on the instructions of 25th July, so far as they have gone during
the week I have been here.
FINANCE.
The income last year was, in round numbers, one
crore
Equivalent to ten million, or one hundred lakhs. Used especially in connection with money (rupees).
and eleven
lacs
One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees
of
rupees
Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf.
, and the total outlay was one
crore
Equivalent to ten million, or one hundred lakhs. Used especially in connection with money (rupees).
and seventy
lacs
One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees
nearly. But of
About this item
- Content
Letter submitting an unofficial résumé of the condition that he has found affairs at Baroda to be in.
The letter discusses the Gaekwar's (Malharrao) reaction to the khureeta An important letter usually sent in an elaborate textile pouch, dispatched as part of the royal or diplomatic correspondence of rulers and elites. issued by the Viceroy and Pelly's subsequent appointment and his willingness to be bound by the Viceroy's advice; letters drawn up between Pelly and the Gaekwar's minister in which he promises to accede to all the instructions issued by the Viceroy in July 1874; and additional requests made by the Viceroy during private audiences with Pelly.
These additional requests included asking Pelly to carefully examine the finances of his territory; to examine the condition of land revenue and satisfy himself as to the causes of recent resistance on the part of agriculturalists; and that care be taken in regard to religious claims when reforms to finance were being made.
The letter summarises Pelly's enquiries and findings under several headings: Finance, Revenue, 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. , Soucars, Police, and Proclamations before providing a résumé of the question of reformation of the finances of the state.
Pelly's résumé includes his assessment of the total incomes of the state; the need for Government to reassess their outlays based on these assessments; the need to limit expenditure; the attitudes of the agriculturalists towards 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). ; the disputes between the Gaekwar and 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. ; and the need for policy towards and relations with Baroda state to be defined by the Government of India.
- Extent and format
- 5 folios
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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- Reference
- Mss Eur F126/83, ff 1-5
- Title
- Letter from Colonel Sir Lewis Pelly, Baroda to His Lordship Lord Northbrook, Viceroy of India
- Pages
- 1r:5v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence