Minute by His Excellency the Viceroy [‎22v] (2/10)

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required careful examination and consideration; tliat the existing pra^-lce of
levying nuzzerana (a succession tax) on appointments was wholly inconsistent
with good government and should be entirely relinquished and interdicted;
that the practice of ill-treating accused persons or prisoners to extract confession
ohtained to some extent and demanded the most watchful efforts for its absolute
suppression; that the judicial department and administration required entire
reform, in order to remove the existing uncertain and irregular application of
the law and want of confidence in the proceedings of the courts and Magistrates ;
and that the state of affairs, when viewed altogether, constituted general mal
administration of a character urgently calling for reformation, which could not
be effected without some interference on the part of the British Government.
4. There is no doubt as to the right which the British Government
possesses both under treaty and by constant usage to interpose in the internal
affairs of the Baroda State. The provisions of the treaty of 1802 are clear,
and the letter from Mr. Mountstuart Elphinstone, then Governor of Bombay,
to the ruling Gaekwar in 1820, in which the results of various conferences
with the Gaekwar regarding Baroda affairs were recorded, and which contains
an exposition of his relations to the British Government, lays down in the
plainest possible terms the rights of the British Government.
5. Accordingly in a letter from the Viceroy dated 25th July 1874,
authoritative advice was given to Mulhar Eao for the remedy of the principal
evils disclosed by the report of the Commission. A period of eighteen
months, ending on 31st December 1875, was allowed to him for effecting
the necessary reforms, and every assistance was offered him for that purpose.
The Government of India, after some time had elapsed, became dissatisfied
with the manner in which Colonel Phayre, the British President at Baroda,
carried out the instructions which were given to him, and arrangements were
therefore made, in the beginning of November last, to replace him by Sir
Lewis Pelly, an Officer of the highest rank in the Political Service, in whom
the Government placed the fullest confidence.
6. While these arrangements were in progress, information was received
that an attempt had been made to poison Colonel Phayre.
7. Sir Lewis Pelly arrived at Baroda on 4th December 1874, and
found affairs there in a very critical condition. Although assurances
had been given from time to time by Mulhar Bao that he would carry
out the reforms which he had been required by the Government of India
to undertake, no substantial progress had been made. The condition of the
cultivating classes was represented as desperate, owing to the over-assess
ment of the land revenue, while the differences between 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
Gaekwar threatened a serious disturbance of the peace. Mulhar llao gave
assurances to Sir Lewis Pelly that remedies would be applied to this condition
of affairs. Sir Lewis Pelly expressed his belief that those assurances were
sincere, and the Government of India entertained some hope that although no
confidence could be placed in the personal character of Mulhar Bao, yet he
might be induced to allow the administration of the State to be effectually
reformed.
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