Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v1.c19.s4: No. IV. Grant from Maharana Ari Singh, Prince of Mewar, to the Sindi Chief, Abdu-l Rahim Beg

Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v1.c19.s4

Language: English

No. IV. Grant from Maharana Ari Singh, Prince of Mewar, to the Sindi Chief, Abdu-l Rahim Beg

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Ramji !¹ Ganeshji !¹ Eklingji !¹ Sri Maharaja Dhiraj Maharana Ari Singh to Mirza Abdu-l Rahim Beg Adilbegot, commanding.

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¹ Invocations to Ram, Ganesh (god of wisdom), and Eklinga, the patron-divinity of the Sesodia Guhilots.

Now some of our chiefs having rebelled and set up the impostor Ratna Singh, brought the [201] Deccani army and erected batteries against Udaipur, in which circumstances your services have been great and tended to the preservation of our sovereignty : therefore, in favour towards you, I have made this grant, which your children and children's children shall continue to enjoy. You will continue to serve faithfully ; and whoever of my race shall dispossess you or yours, on him be Eklingji and the sin of the slaughter of Chitor.

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Particulars.

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1st. In estates, 200,000 rupees. 2nd. In cash annually, 25,000. 3rd. Lands outside the Debari gate, 10,000. 4th. As a residence, the dwelling-house called Bharat Singh's. 5th. A hundred bighas of land outside the city for a garden. 6th. The town of Mithun in the valley, to supply wood and forage. 7th. To keep up the tomb of Ajmeri Beg, who fell in action, one hundred bighas of land.

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Privileges and Honours.

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8th. A seat in Darbar and rank in all respects equal to the chieftain of Sadri.² 9th. Your kettle-drums (Nakkara) to beat to the exterior gate, but with one stick only. 10th. Amar Balaona,³ and a dress of honour on the Dasahra ⁴ festival.

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² The first of the foreign vassals of the Rana's house. [Bari Sādri, about 50 miles E.S.E. of Udaipur city, held by the senior noble of Mewār, a Rājput of the Jhāla sub-sept, styled Rāja of Sādri (Erskine ii. A. 93).]

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³ A horse furnished by the prince, always replaced when he dies, therefore called Amar, or immortal.

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⁴ The grand military festival, when a muster is made of all the Rajput quotas.

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11th. Drums to beat to Ahar. All other privileges and rank like the house of Salumbar.¹ Like that house, yours shall be from generation to generation; therefore according to the valuation of your grant you will serve.

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¹ The first of the home-chieftains.

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12th. Your brothers or servants, whom you may dismiss, I shall not entertain or suffer my chief to entertain.

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13th. The Chamars² and Kirania³ you may use at all times when alone, but never in the Presence.

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² The tail of the wild ox, worn across the saddle-bow.

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³ An umbrella or shade against the sun; from kiran, ‘a ray.’

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14th. Munawwar Beg, Anwar Beg, Chaman Beg, are permitted seats in front of the throne; Amar Balaona, and honorary dresses on Dasahra, and seats for two or three other relatives who may be found worthy the honour.

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15th. Your agent (Vakil) shall remain at court with the privileges due to his rank.

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By command: SAH MOTI RAM BOLIA, S. 1826 (A.D. 1770) Bhadon (August) sudi 11 Somwar (Monday).