British Interference and Administrative Control in Rajasthan

British Interference and Administrative Control in Rajasthan The study of British intervention and administrative control is important in the history of Rajasthan. Early British policies and the Subsidiary Alliance System led to increased political and administrative influence over the princely states of Rajasthan. During this period, the princely states of Rajasthan entered into treaties with the British, and social reforms were promoted during the British period through initiatives such as the Desh Hitaishini Sabha and the Walter Hitkarini Sabha.

British Interference

Early British Policies

• Warren Hastings (1772–1785)
  • Policy: Policy of Ring Fence.
  • Objective: To protect British territories from major enemies (especially the Marathas).
  • Method: Creating buffer states by forming friendly alliances with neighboring states.
• Lord Cornwallis (1786–1793)
  • Policy: Policy of Non-intervention.
  • Method: The British would not interfere in the internal affairs of Indian rulers.

Subsidiary Alliance System

• Proponent: Lord Wellesley (1798–1805).
• Conditions:
  • Internal security and foreign policy of the state under British control.
  • The state had to bear all expenses.
  • A British Resident was appointed in the state.
  • An army was maintained at the state’s expense.
  • First Alliance in India: 1798, Nizam of Hyderabad.

Early Efforts in Rajasthan (Prior to Subsidiary Alliance)

• Jaipur (Maharaja Prithvi Singh): Expressed desire for friendship with the British in 1776.
• Jodhpur State: Efforts were unsuccessful.

Anglo-Maratha War & Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon (30 December 1803)

• Marathas were defeated; Scindia signed a treaty with the British.
• Result: Jaipur and Jodhpur came under British influence. It paved the way for treaties between the British and Rajputs.

Major Treaties of Rajasthan (1803–1805)

• Bharatpur
  • First Treaty: 29 September 1803, between Ranjit Singh and Wellesley.
  • Conditions: The British would provide protection.
  • No Khiraj (tribute) would be taken.
• 1804: Ranjit Singh gave shelter to Holkar → The British attacked (5-month siege remained unsuccessful).
• New Treaty: April 1805
  • Former status restored; Parganas were given to Alwar.
  • Deeg region returned.
  • Bharatpur prince to reside with the British.
• 20 lakh rupees compensation.
• Significance: Humiliating compared to the 1803 treaty, but established permanent Jat control over Deeg.

• Alwar
  • Treaty: 14 November 1803, Maharaja Bakhtawar Singh.
  • Conditions:
    • Independent status of Alwar recognized.
    • British would not interfere in internal affairs.
    • No tax would be collected.
    • Alwar’s army would be available to assist the British.
  • Cooperation: Alwar assisted the British in the Battle of Laswari (1803).
  • Significance: The first state in Rajasthan to enter into an extensive defensive-offensive treaty.
• Jaipur
  • Treaty: 12 December 1803, Maharaja Jagat Singh II.
  • Conditions: Same as Alwar.
  • Result: General Barlow revoked the treaty in 1805.
• Jodhpur
  • Treaty: 22 December 1803, Maharaja Man Singh.
  • Conditions: Mutual friendship.
    • No Khiraj (tribute).
    • Condition not to appoint French officers.
  • Confirmation: 15 January 1804.
  • Dispute: Man Singh proposed a new treaty; the British rejected it.
• Result: Treaty cancelled in 1804.

Subordinate Isolation Treaties of Rajasthan Princely States (1817–1818)

• Karauli
  • The first princely state in Rajasthan to accept the Policy of Subordinate Isolation.
  • Date: 9/15 November 1817.
  • Ruler: Harbaksh Pal Singh
• Kota
  • Date: 26 December 1817.
  • Chief Administrator: Jhala Zalim Singh.
  • Special Representative of Governor General: Charles Metcalfe.
• Udaipur
  • Date: 23 January 1818.
  • Ruler: Maharana Bhim Singh.
• Bikaner
  • Date: 21 March 1818.
  • Ruler: Maharaja Surat Singh.

Key Points

• All these treaties were signed during the 1817–1818 period.
• Through these treaties, the British East India Company brought most Rajasthan states under its subordinate system.

Main Features of the Subsidiary Alliance with the British Government

• Dissolution of Local Army and Appointment of British Army:
• Indian rulers signing the alliance had to disband their armed forces.
• A British military contingent was stationed within the state.
• Provision for Expenditure:
  • The ruler had to bear the entire cost of maintaining the British army.
  • In case of failure to pay, a portion of the state’s territory was handed over to the British.
• Promise of Protection: The British promised to protect the state from foreign invasions and internal rebellions.
• Interference in Internal Affairs:
  • In Principle: The British promised not to interfere.
  • In Reality: They frequently intervened. A British Resident was appointed to monitor the state’s internal affairs.
• Ban on Foreign and Internal Treaties: The state could not establish political contact or sign treaties with any foreign power or other Indian princely state without British permission.

Treaties of Rajasthan Princely States with the British

State Treaty Date	Ruler / Leader	Key Points / Terms
Karauli (9 Nov 1817)	Maharaja Harbakhsh Pal Singh	The first state in Rajasthan to sign a treaty with the British under the Policy of Subordinate Isolation.
Tonk (17 Nov 1817)	Amir Khan Pindari	Tonk and Rampura were made independent states; Amir Khan was recognized as Nawab. Plundering was prohibited.
Kota (26 Dec 1817)	Maharao Umed Singh I	Signed due to the active role of Diwan Jhala Zalim Singh. Reps: Shivdan Singh, Seth Jivanram, Lala Hukumchand.
Jodhpur (6 Jan 1818)	Maharaja Man Singh	Reps: Asopa Bishanram, Vyas Abhayram. British side: Charles Metcalfe.
Mewar (Udaipur) (23 Jan 1818)	Maharana Bhim Singh	Rep: Thakur Ajit Singh. Udaipur had to pay 25% of its income as tribute (Khiraj), later fixed at 3/8.
Bundi (10 Feb 1818)	Maharao Vishnu Singh	Agreed to pay an annual tribute (Khiraj) of 80,000 Rupees.
Bikaner (21 March 1818)	Maharaja Surat Singh	Reps: Ojha Kashinath, Charles Metcalfe. Confirmed by Lord Hastings at Patarsa Ghat (Ghaggar River).
Kishangarh (07 April 1818)	Maharaja Kalyan Singh	Exempted from tribute (Khiraj) because it did not pay Chauth to the Marathas.
Jaipur (2 April 1818)	Maharaja Jagat Singh II	Reps: Charles Metcalfe & Thakur Rawal Barisal Nathawat. Approved on 15 April 1818.
Pratapgarh (5 Oct 1818)	Maharawal Samant Singh	—
Dungarpur (11 Dec 1818)	Maharawal Jaswant Singh II	—
Jaisalmer (12 Dec 1818)	Maharawal Mulraj II	No provision for paying tribute or fees to the British.
Banswara (25 Dec 1818)	Maharawal Umed Singh	—
Sirohi (11 Sept 1823)	Maharaja Shiv Singh	The last treaty signed, delayed due to the territorial claims made by the Jodhpur State.

Efforts for Social Reforms in Rajasthan during the British Period

Sati Pratha

• Legislation: 4 December 1829 – Bengal Sati Regulation passed by Lord William Bentinck.
• Objective: To declare Sati illegal across British India, considering it inhumane.
• Inspiration: Reformist efforts of Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
• Post-Independence: 1987 – Rajasthan High Court ruled that Sati is not legally valid.

Prohibition of Female Infanticide

• First Effort: In the Mewar region of Rajasthan, the Maharana enacted a law under pressure from the British Agent.
• Other States:
  • Kota: Female Infanticide Prohibition law.
  • Jodhpur (1839 AD): Formulated ‘Code of Rules’.
  • Udaipur (1844 AD): Declared female infanticide improper.

Prohibition of Child Marriage

• At Rajasthan Level:
  • Alwar State: First Child Marriage Prohibition law on 10 December 1903.
• At National Level:
  • Sharda Act 1929 (Implemented – 1 April 1930):
    • Boy’s age – 18 years
    • Girl’s age – 14 years
  • 1978 Amendment: Boys – 21 years, Girls – 18 years.
• State Initiatives: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh → Compulsory marriage registration.
• National Action Plan 2005: Target to eliminate child marriage by 2010.
• Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006: Parents, relatives, wedding guests, and priests are all punishable.

Efforts of Jaipur British Protection Committee (1844 AD)

• In 1844 AD, the Jaipur British Protection Committee passed a bill for the abolition of Sati.
• This was the first legal effort to stop Sati in Rajasthan.
• The bill received neither significant support nor opposition.

Prohibition of Sati in British India (1829 AD)

• Governor-General Lord William Bentinck passed the Bengal Sati Regulation on December 4, 1829.
• This law banned the practice of Sati across the whole of British India.
• The bill described the practice of Sati as being against humanity and social sentiments

Desh Hitaishini Sabha

• Establishment: 2 July 1877
• Place: Udaipur (Mewar State, Rajputana)
• This was the first organized reformist effort in Rajasthan. Inspired by this, other princely states also initiated social reforms.
• Objectives:
  • To control expenses on child marriages.
  • To amend rules for banning polygamy.

Walterkrit Hitkarini Sabha

• Establishment: January 1889 AD
• Place: Ajmer
• Founder: Acting A.G.G. of Ajmer.
• Name: Rajput Hitkarini Sabha (Walterkrit).
• Membership: Old members – 20, New members – 14.
• Main Objectives and Reforms:
  • Suggestion to abolish the practice of polygamy.
  • Recommendation to end ‘Tika’ and ‘Gift’ customs (cash, clothes, jewelry given before marriage) considering them wasteful expenditure.
  • Suggested minimum age for marriage to stop child marriage:
    • Boy – 18 years
    • Girl – 14 years