Enclosures of letter to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for India, No.11, dated 15 January 1875: Nos. 3 to 45 of Abstract of Contents, from the Officiating Under-Secretary to the Government of India, Fort William [‎98v] (96/100)

ness the Gaekwar, and evidence has been adduced to the effect that His High
ness Mulhar Rao Gaekwar instigated the said attempt to administer poison to
Colonel Phayre;
And Whereas to instigate such attempt would be a high crime against
Her Majesty the Queen and a breach of the condition of loyalty to the Crown
under which Mulhar Rao Gaekwar is recognized as ruler of the Baroda State,
and moreover such an attempt would be an act of hostility against the British
Government, and it is necessary fully and publicly to enquire into the truth
of the charge and to afford His Highness Mulhar Rao Gaekwar every oppor
tunity of freeing himself from the grave suspicion which attaches to him;
And Whereas in consequence thereof it is necessary to suspend Mulhar Rao
Gaekwar from the exercise of power and to make other arrangements for the
administration of the Baroda State:
It is hereby notified that from this date the Viceroy and Governor-General
of India in Council temporarily assumes the administration of the Baroda
State, and delegates all the powers necessary for the conduct of the adminis
tration to the Agent to the Governor-General and Special Commissioner at
Baroda. The administration will be conducted, as far as possible, in accordance
with the usages, customs, and laws of the country.
All 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. , Inamdars, Zemindars, and inhabitants of the Baroda territories,
and all officers and persons whatsoever in the civil and military service of the
Baroda State, or liable to be called upon for such service, are hereby required
to submit to the authority of and render obedience to the said Agent to the
Governor-General and Special Commissioner during such time as the State may
be under the administration of the British Government.
In accordance with the gracious intimation made to the Princes and Chiefs
of India that it is the desire of Her Majesty the Queen that their Governments
should be perpetuated, and the Representation and Dignity of their Houses
should be continued, a Native Administration will be re-established in such
manner as may be determined upon after the conclusion of the enquiry and
after consideration of the results which such enquiry may elicit.
By order of the Viceroy and Governor-General of India in Council,
P ort W illiam , ) (Sd.) C. U. AITCHISON,
The Vdth January 1875. 3 Secy, to the Govt, oj India.
O rdered , that the foregoing Proclamation be published in the Gazette
of India, and that a copy be furnished to all Departments of the Government
of India; and to all Local Governments and Administrations, and Agents to
the Governor-General and Political Officers under the Government of India for
communication to the Princes and Rulers of Native States with whom they
respectively have to do.
P ort W illiam , | (Sd.) C. U. AITCHISON,
The \Sth January 1875. ) Secy, to the Govt, of India.
Enclosure No. 41.
Telegram, dated 12th January 1875 (Confidential.)
From—Foreign Secretary, Calcutta,
. To—Agent, Governor-General, and Special Commissioner, Baroda,
C arefully and accurately translate into Vernacular and publish through
out Baroda territories following Proclamation :—
i ide Enclosure No. 40 ante.
Administration of Baroda will at once vest in you under powers delegated
in Proclamation. Take all steps necessary for preservation of peace and exercise
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Exd.- R. T. B.