Chapter 16 — Annals of Mewar

Arsi left two sons, Hamir and Bhim Singh; and in 1772, the former, still a minor, succeeded to the little enviable title of Rana. The mercenary Sindhies who, stirred to enthusiasm by Amra, had for a moment assumed the garb of fidelity, threw it off at their prince's death, and, in the temporary absence of the minister, made themselves masters of the capital. The Saliimbra chief, who had been left in charge, they imprisoned, and were about to subject him to the torture of the hot iron to extort arrears of pay, when Amra, returning unexpectedly, rescued him. The faithful minister at once set to work to restore order, and to establish the young prince firmly on his throne. But his integrity and devotion met with their inevitable reward, and he died by poison ere his work was well begun. His death yielded a flattering comment on his life; the funds he left were not sufficient to cover his funeral expenses, and he is, probably, the sole instance on record in Indian history of a minister having his obsequies defrayed by subscription among his fellow citizens. In 1775, the queen -mother was forced to call in the aid of Sindhia to repress a rebellion of the Chondawats. The Mahratta recovered the crown lands which the Salumbra had usurped, and imposed upon him a heavy fine. But instead of confining himself to the punishment of the guilty, and restoring the lands to the young Rana, Sindhia seized the opportunity to strip the state of other fertile districts, whose annual revenues aggregated to six lakhs of rupees, and which he made over to his son-in-law and to Holkar. Besides these alienations of territory the Mahrattas levied, during the reign of Hamir, no less than seven war contributions, and inability to liquidate these exorbitant demands resulted in further sequestration of lands. Amidst such scenes of civil strife and spoliation, Hamir died before he had attained even Rajput majority. From the time of the first Mahratta invasion to the death of Hamir, Mewar was despoiled of over ,£7,000,000 sterling. It were a waste of time to enumerate the rapacious individuals who shared the spoils of this devoted country. We may be content to say their name was legion. The Mogul princes had observed at least the forms of government and justice, which occasionally tempered their aggressions; the Mahrattas were associations of vampires, who drained the very life-blood wherever the scent of plunder attracted them. Yet the land would eventually have reimbursed even the sum just mentioned, had not the penalty inflicted for non-payment rendered the evil irremediable. The loss to the revenue through alienated lands was, at this time, more than 28 lakhs of rupees, or, £323,000 — more than the entire revenue of the state at the present time. Rana Bhim Singh, with whose reign we shall bring our story of the fortunes of Mewar to a close, occupied the throne for fifty years, a period as fruitful in disaster as any that preceded it, though it paved the way to future tranquillity. The strifes that prevailed for nearly forty years after Bhim Singh's accession, group themselves round three main centres — the feud between the Chondawats and the Suktawats, the struggle between Ambaji and Lakwa for the viceroyalty of Sindhia's short-lived empire, and the rivalry of the princes of Marwar and Jaipur for the hand of the Sesodia princess Kumari. These struggles dovetail one into another with a complexity that baffles elucidation, but the same features characterise them all — intrigue, rapine, bloodshed, and devastation. The Mahrattas had gradually ceased to be a federated power. Split up into bands, each under its own leader, they roamed the country intent upon nothing but the gratification of their own lust for wealth, and utterly unscrupulous as to the means they employed. In every Rajput dispute, the contending parties hired the assistance of one or another of these bands, to whom such employment offered every opportunity for extortion and plunder, and who generally found it to their interest to foster the quarrel they had been called in to terminate. The feud between the two great clans began whilst Bhim Singh was still a minor. The Chondawats had the chief control in the councils of the state, and they determined to use their power to humble their rivals. Arjan Singh was their leading warrior, and so bitter did the feud become that he mustered his kin and invested Bhindir, the Suktawat stronghold. Sangram Singh, the chief of the latter clan, replied by attacking Korabar, the headquarters of Arjan's own estate. Various engagements took place, and on one occasion Arjan captured the children of Sangram, whom he ruthlessly butchered. This act, and his own overbearing conduct in the state councils, so inflamed the queen-mother that she deprived the Chondawats of office, and filled their places with chieftains of the rival clan. The Chondawats retired to Chftor, where they fortified themselves; and the Suktawats, to strengthen their position, sought support from Zalim Singh of Kotah, who came to their aid at the head of 10,000 Mahrattas. Such was the state of things when the ascendency of Madhaji Sindhia received a severe check from the combined forces of Marwar and Jaipur; and the battle of Lalsut, in which the Mahratta chief was completely defeated, was the signal for the Rajputs to resume their alienated lands. Nor was the Rana backward on this occasion, when there appeared a momentary gleam of the active virtue of past days. Nimbhahaira in the south, which had been annexed by Holkar, was first reduced, and then siege was laid to Jawud, the governor of which, Sivaji Nana, capitulated. Other districts were regained in the north, and the ancient fief of Rampura was recovered Elated by success, the united chiefs advanced to the banks of the Rirkia, preparatory to further operations. But the capture of Nimbhahaira drew upon them the vengeance of Ahilia Bai, the regent queen of the Holkar estate. Five thousand horse were despatched to the support of the discomfited Sivaji Nana, who had taken refuge in Mandisor, where he rallied all the garrisons whom the Rajputs had unwisely permitted to capitulate. In February 1788, the Rana's troops were surprised and defeated with great slaughter, the minister slain, and many of their chieftains captured. The newly-made conquests were rapidly lost, Jawud being the only place which offered any show of resistance. All the chiefs and clans of Mewar were united in this struggle except the Chondawats, who devoted their energies to the prosecution of their feud, and who were a source of continual trouble and danger to the queen-mother and her ministers. They still held Chitor, and their forces were constantly in collision with the troops of their rivals, while each encounter added to the general confusion and insecurity. The agriculturist, never certain of the fruits of his labours, abandoned his fields, and, at length, his country; mechanical industry found no recompense, and commerce was at the mercy of unlicensed spoliation. Hence arose a train of evils. Every cultivator sought out a patron, and entered into engagements as the price of protection. Every Rajput possessing a horse or a lance had his clients, and not a camel-load of merchandise could pass the abode of one of these cavaliers without paying fees, while bands of Mahratta free-booters roamed unchecked throughout the country. The Rana and his advisers at length determined to call in Sindhia to expel the rebellious Chondawats from the ancient capital — a step mainly prompted by Zalim Singh, who was deputed to carry the Rana's proposals to the Mahratta chief. Since the battle of Lalsut, Sindhia had reorganised his brigades under the celebrated De Boigne, by whose assistance he had redeemed his lost influence in Rajputana. Lalsut had been more than counterbalanced by his victories at Mairtia and Patan, where the brave Rahtors, after acts of the most devoted gallantry, were completely overthrown- Sindhia's plans coincided entirely with the object of the deputation, and he readily acquiesced in the Rana's desire. A force was hastily mustered and despatched to Mewar under the Mahratta general Ambaji. Zalim Singh accompanied it, and they encamped before Chitor, where in a short time they were joined by Sindhia with the main body. It is worth while to follow somewhat closely the events which followed, for they afford a characteristic picture of the diplomatic methods of the time. The three leading characters in the drama were endeavouring to compass their own several ends. Zalim's ambition, which he imagined was known only to himself, was to raise himself to a position of supreme control in Mewar. Sindhia made no secret of his motives; he wanted money to enable him to carry on his designs in the Dekhan. Ambaji's ambition was precisely the same as that of Zalim; but he was fully aware that the latter was his rival. To get rid of Zalim, whose influence he knew to be greater than his own, was therefore his immediate object, and a piece of good fortune helped him in its accomplishment. Sindhia was anxious to receive a visit from the Rana, for even the Peshwas deemed this an honour; and to effect this object he proceeded with Zalim to Udaipur. The chiefs met at the Tiger Mount, a few miles outside the capital, and Sindhia escorted the Rana to his camp. But in this short interval, Ambaji, who remained with the army at Chitor, entered into negotiations with the chief of the Chondawats. He knew that Zalim was hated by the clan, and he had little difficulty in coming to terms with Bhim Singh, the Saliimbra, who agreed to surrender Chitor, to humble himself before the Rana, and to pay a contribution of twenty lakhs of rupees, provided that Zalim was ordered to quit the state. On the latter's return with the Rana, Ambaji touched on the question of Bhim Singh's surrender, u which," he casually remarked, " would be an easy matter but for your presence." Zalim, desirous of masking his own purposes, went so far as to assert that he was tired of the whole business, and that he would be only too glad if he could return to Kotah. " Is it then really your wish to retire?" asked Ambaji. ''Assuredly," replied Zalim, who was much too proud to eat his own words before the Mahratta. "Then," retorted the crafty Ambaji, "your wish shall be gratified in a few minutes; " and, giving him no time to retract, he called for his horse and galloped off to Sindhia's tent. Zalim relied on Sindhia's not acceding to the proposition; or, if he did, that the Rana, over whom he imagined he had complete influence, would oppose it. He trusted to Sindhia for two reasons : firstly, because he had received a private promise from him that the troops left at Mewar for the restoration of order should be under his command; and secondly, because he alone was able to raise the sum stipulated for the expulsion of the Chondawats from Chitor. But Ambaji had foreseen and provided a remedy for this latter difficulty, and upon its being urged by Sindhia, he offered himself to advance the amount by bills on the Dekhan. This argument was irresistible; money, and the consequent prosecution of his journey to Poona being within his attainment, Sindhia's engagements with Zalim and the Rana ceased to be matters of importance. He at once nominated Ambaji his lieutenant with the command of a large force, with which he would have no difficulty in reimbursing himself for the sums he had advanced. Having carried his object with Sindhia, Ambaji proceeded direct from his tent to that of the Rana, with whom, by holding out prospects of immediate peace, and by promising subserviency in all things to his wishes, he was equally successful. Having thus accomplished his purpose, he hastened back to Zalim to inform him that his wish to retire had met with general acquiescence; and so well were his arrangements made that the Rana's macebearer arrived at the same moment to announce that the " khilat of leave" awaited his acceptance. Thus was Zalim outwitted. The Saliimbra chief descended from Chitor and " touched the Rana's feet." Sindhia pursued his march to the Dekhan, and Ambaji was left sole arbiter of Mewar. Ambaji remained eight years in Mewar, reaping its revenues, and amassing those hoards of wealth which subsequently gave him the lead in Hindustan. Yet, although he accumulated ^2,000,000 from her soil, exacting one half of the produce of agricultural industry, the suppression of feuds and exterior aggressions gave to Mewar a degree of tranquillity and happiness to which she had long been a stranger. During the last year of his control, three notable events took place — the death of the queenmother, the birth of a son and heir to the Rana, and the bursting of the embankment of the lake, which swept away a great part of the city and a third of its inhabitants. In 1796, Sindhia appointed Ambaji his viceroy in Hindustan, and Mewar was handed over to his deputy Rai Chand. The Suktawats still held the chief power in the state, and they never let slip an opportunity for adding to the humiliation of the Chondawats, many of whose fiefs they had confiscated. It was not long, however, before they quarrelled with the new deputy, and their rivals, seeing their chance, sent a deputation to Ambaji, and for the sum of ten lakhs of rupees induced the avaricious Mahratta to withdraw his support from the Suktawats and transfer it to themselves. In a very short time, the position of the clans was entirely reversed. The Suktawats were driven from office, the stipulated sum of ten lakhs was raised from their estates, and the fiefs of two of their nobles were confiscated. At this juncture, Madhaji Sindhia died — an occurrence which had a material influence on the course of events in Mewar. He was succeeded by his nephew, Daulat Rao Sindhia, who was still in his minority. This latter fact added considerably to the powers of Ambaji, though his position had suddenly become insecure owing to the appearance of a rival competitor for the viceroyalty in the person of Lakwa Dada, who had support of the Madhaji's family. Mewar had the misfortune to be the arena on which the rival satraps contested their claims. Lakwa wrote to the Rana commanding him to throw off Ambaji's yoke, and expel his deputy; while Ambaji instructed his deputy to eject every supporter of Lakwa, from the state. The chiefs declared for Lakwa, and Sivaji Nana hastened from Jawud with all the troops he could collect to support the deputy. Things went badly with Nana at first, and he was obliged to barricade himself in the fortress of Hamirgarh, which Lakwa immediately invested. But reinforcements were soon at hand. Bala Rao, Ambaji's brother, came at the head of a large body of infantry and artillery and was joined on the march by Zalim Singh of Kotah with his auxiliaries. Lakwa was forced to raise the siege and to retire to Kadura on the banks of the Bands, where he encamped for the rainy season. Nana and his auxiliaries abandoned their stronghold and took up their quarters at Amli, also on the banks of the Banas, and almost in sight of Lakwa's camp. By this time Nana had been still further reinforced by a detachment under the celebrated soldier of fortune, George Thomas. Ten miles north of Amli was the town of Shapura, whose chief, one of the few nobles of Mewar who sided against Lakwa, procured supplies for Nana's force. For six weeks the two armies faced one another. The chiefs of Mewar hovered around Nana's camp to cut off his supplies; but Thomas escorted the convoys from Shapura with his regulars and defied all their efforts. At length the monsoon ceased, and Thomas advanced his batteries against Lakwa. A general assault was about to be made by the whole of Nana's forces when there came on a terrific storm, with torrents of rain, which filled the stream across which Thomas had just advanced his guns, and cut them off from the main body. So tremendous was the force of the elements that Shapura, over which the storm burst, was laid in ruins. Lakwa seized the moment, and, with the Mewar chiefs, stormed and carried the isolated batteries, capturing fifteen pieces of cannon; while the Shapura chief, threatened at once by his brother nobles and the vengeance of heaven, refused further provision to Nana, who was compelled to abandon his position and retreat to Sanganar. The discomfited general vowed vengeance against the estates of the Mewar chieftains, and after a short time, being reinforced by Ambaji, again took the field. Then commenced scenes of carnage and pillage such as even Mewar had seldom witnessed. The whole of the Chondawat estates under the Aravalli range were laid waste, the castles of the chiefs were assaulted, many taken and destroyed, and heavy sums levied on all. Whilst the work of destruction was still proceeding, Ambaji was dispossessed of the government of Hindustan, and Lakwa appointed in his place. The struggle was, therefore, at an end, and Nana was compelled to surrender all the fortresses and towns he held in Mewar. Lakwa showed his gratitude for the assistance he had received by exacting a contribution of 24 lakhs from the state, which he collected by force of arms. He then set out for Jaipur, leaving Jaswant Rao Bhao behind as his deputy. The Chondawats were again in power, the Rana, a large portion of whose personal domain they appropriated to themselves, being little more than a tool in their hands.

Chapter 16 — In the Grip of the Mahrattas