History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c44.47

v2.c44.47

According to this report the Garhjat States are reported to be 29 in number. The Chhatisgaḍh States, including Patna, Sambalpur and Sonepur, are of course omitted from this list. The report states that "Several of the above tributary estates are subject to the operation of the British Laws and Regulations and several of them are exempted from their influence. During the Maratha government Mayurbhanja paid a quit-rent of Rs. 6000 and received 6-16ths of the pilgrim tax and transit duties at certain passes. Now the States pays Rs. 1001 to the British Government". We learn further that Mahārāṇī Sumitrā Deī had claimed exemption from tribute and made a demand for a considerable sum for damages she had sustained. This claim was rejected. The estimated revenue of Mayurbhañj was Rs. 40,000 to 50,000. The report expresses doubt about sale of this State for arrears of revenue or tribute, as it stood in an important part of the south-western frontier of British territory in 1815 and if was considered expedient to attach the proprietor to the British Government by moderation and forbearance. This is the real reason of the want of treaty engagements with Mayurbhañj till 1829. Though the British had become supreme in India after the fall of Daulat Rāo Śinde and Yaśovant Rāo Holkar in 1805, the Maratha spirit was not entirely crushed and the Holkar still possessed a considerable army. The Bhonsles had become negligible but the Peshwa was still a power, both moral and physical. Solely for this reason Mayurbhañj, the most powerful State in Orissa, received favourable treatment in not having any binding engagement with it suzerein and having to pay only Rs. 1001 out of Rs. 40000 or Rs. 50000, while the neighbouring State of Kanika, with an income of 100000 had to pay Rs. 10132-5-10. The Estate of Aul paid Rs. 26,680, after which only Rs. 15,000 remained for the proprietor.