Letter from Gunpatrao and Khanderao, Gaikwads, Baroda to Sir Lewis Pelly, Agent to the Governor-General, and Special Commissioner, Baroda [‎14r] (3/8)

To
His Excellency the Richt Hon. THOMAS GEORGE BARING, Baron NORTHBROOK,
of Stratton,
Viceroy and Governor-General of India in Council.
The Humble Memorial of GUNPATRAO and KHANDE-
RAO, GAIKWADS, Residents of Baroda,
Most Resi'ectfully Siiewetii,—
That your Excellency's Memorialists are lineal descendants of Mhalaji,
the brother of Pillaji, who both first raised to eminence the family of the
Gaikwads in Guzrath, as will appear from the Gcncological Table herewith
annexed.
2. 'That yonr Memorialists are the sons of Gopalrao Gaikwad, whose
close relationship with the reigning GaikWads, and whose loyalty to the Para-
monnt British Power, has already secured them a guaranteed allowance from
the Gaikwads of Baroda.
3. That your Memorialists are aware of the claims to the Gadi of Baroda,
set up by Sadashivrao alias Rao Saheb, whose open hostility to the British Go
vernment during the stirring times of the Indian Mutiny of 1857-58, near
Ahmedabad, is alone sufficient to set aside all claims, as the British Govern
ment cannot but view such claims with disfavour. It may also be mentioned
here, that Sadashivrao alias llao Saheb, who was born in the Samvat year
1895, was no minor, when he took up arms against the British Government,^
pp. 39G, 281, 307, 581, by Lieutenant-Colonel Wallace, and was eventually re
moved by British Authorities, first at Surat, and afterwards at Ahmedabad, on
account of his " turbulent spirit " and " reprehensible conduct." Lieutenant-
Colonel Wallace thus speaks of him in his work, pp. 581 :—" Govindrao
Guikwad is now in the custody of 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). and is well treated ; he is im
becile, has lost the greater portion of his extremities from the ravages of Indian
leprosy, and has in all probability nearly coma to the close of his restless and
unfortunate career."
4. That your Memorialists are also aware of utterly novel and cleverly
patched-up claims set up by Gabajirao, Baburao, Kashirao, Ookhajirao, and
Sakharamrao bin Bhikajirao Gaikwad, residents of Laval a ne, Talooka Malli-
gaum, Nassick District, who were never before recognized as the near relations
of the reigning Gaikwads of Baroda. They having never received any Nem-
4) fc-i. irtaic