'ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, FOR THE YEAR 1860-61' [‎20r] (35/164)

POLITICAL.
[ Bombay]
GUZERAT.
7. The first event which requires notice in connection with the affairs of
the States and Principalities in Guzerat, under the political supervision of this
Government, is the death of His Highness Rao Desuljee of Kutch, which
occurred at the close of July 1860, after a singularly enlightened and prosperous
reign of twenty-six years. In His Highness the British Government lost a
faithful and esteemed ally, and the people of Kutch a wise and beneficent
ruler. The present Rao, as heir apparent, succeeded to the Gadee, under the
title and name of “ Maharajah Mirza Rao Shree Pragmuljee.” He has inau
gurated his reign by the inscription of Her Majesty’s name upon his coinage, an
act which has already been recognised by Pier Majesty’s Government as a sign
that he will follow his father’s example of loyalty and attachment to the
British Government.
8. Notwithstanding the extent to which some of the more northern States,
as Pahlunpoor and Kutch, were affected by the famine which prevailed in the
North-Western Provinces, no agrarian outrage whatever was perpetrated in those
districts. In Kutch the scarcity was severely felt. A large number of persons
were driven away from their homes; thousands of cattle were destroyed ; and
greater misfortunes were only averted by the well-judged and beneficent measures
of relief which were adopted by the administration of the present Rao A Scarcity
also prevailed in the North-Western districts of Kattywar, and particularly in
Okhamundel; and Jodha Manik, the outlawed Wagher Chief, who had been the
leader in the rebellion in 1859, taking advantage of the distress experienced by
his clan, endeavoured once more to excite them to insurrection. He succeeded
in September last in collecting a band of nearly two hundred followers in the
Burda Hills, and he engaged in petty depredations in the neighbouring district.
A small moveable force was immediately organised to act against the insurgents;
and Major Honner, the Officer who had conducted the brilliant attack directed
against the Abpoora Hill in 1859, was placed at its head ; but before any effec
tive operations could be undertaken for the coercion of the Waghers, they, with
the assistance of other outlaws, had surprised and plundered the large and forti
fied Gaekwar town of Korinar. The dispositions subsequently made by Major
Honner speedily led to the dispersion of Jodha Manik’s force, and the capture
of many of the insurgents. The death of the Chief, Manik Jodha Sanganee,
has lately been reported to Government.
9. Arrangements have since been made for placing His Highness the
Gaekwar’s districts in Kattywar under the administration of two British Officers
* A report lias at length been received “ that rain has fallen, and the fears of drought in
Kutch dispelled, the people returning to the province with their flocks, and cultivation going
on favourably.”