1 64k HISTORY OF THE PANJAB.
2 Pahar Singh, the grandfather of the present chief, rendered good service to the
3 British Government on the outbreak of the Sikh war, in 1845, As a reward for
4 his services, he was created a Raja, and his territorial possessions were increased,
5 He was succeeded by his son Wazir Singh, who served on the side of the British
6 during the Second Sikh War, in 1849, and also distinguished himself during the
7 Mutiny, For the services rendered, he was liberally rewarded by the Government,
8 In April 1874, Wazir Singh died, and was succeeded by his son, Bikrama Singh,
9 the present ruler, who was born in 1842,
10 Raja Bikréma Singh has established a firm rule in his dominions, taking on him-
11 self the functions of Judge in all departments, with a Magistrate and Civil Judge under
12 him. Criminal cases of a serious nature are regularly prepared in the Magistrate’s
13 Court and submitted to him, as Sessions Judge, for formal orders ; and the proceed-
14 ings are marked by a regular procedure, His Higkness’ judgments being fully and
15 carefully recorded.
16 Railway communication has been established through the territory of the Farid-
17 kot State, in which four stations are situated.
18 CHAMBA.
19 Chambs is an ancient Hindu principality to the north of the Kangré and
20 Gurdaspur districts.
21 The estimated area of the State is 8,180 square miles, and the population 118,637*
22 according to the census of 1891. During the minority of the present Raji the
23 administration was carried on by a British officer, aided by native officials. The
24 revenue rose from Rs. 1,20,000, to Rs. 1,738,000, during 8 years, and, by 1882,
25 to Rs. 2,40,000, exclusive of Rs. 50,000 revenue free grants. The military force of
26 the State consists of one hundred and sixty men and police anda gun.
27 The forests of Chamba form an important source of supply for timber, and are
28 leased to the British Government, yielding annually from one to two lakhs of
29 rupees to the State. The soil is suited for tea cultivation. Copper and iron ore
30 are found in the hills, and slate quarries exist all over the country. The State is a
31 favourite resort of sportsmen, Musk-deer are found in the Barmaor Pargana of
32 the State and barasingha (stags), wild sheep, hill leopards, brown bears, ghural and
33 ibex (banbakri), in the mountain ranges.
34 The Raja is of Khatri descent, He takes a personal interest in the management
35 of his territory and his administration reflects credit on him, —
36 SUKET.
37 The area of the State is 474 square miles, and the population (1891) 52,426.
38 The estimated revenue is a lakh of rupees per annum, of which eleven thousand
39 rupees are paid as tribute to the British Government. The Raja is entitled to a
40 salute of 11 guns, and maintains a small force of 365 infantry and 40 cavalry.
41 The ruler of the State is Raja Dasht Nikandar Sen, who came of age in 1884. He
42 rules the State with firmaess and vigour.
43 LOHARU.
44 This State has an area of 285 square miles, with a population (1891) of 20,128.
45 The estimated revenue is Rs. 69,000. The chief is bound to furnish a contingent
46 of 200 horse to the British Government when required. The chiefs of Loharu,
47 Patoudi and Dojand are descendants of Afghan adventurers, on whom the estates
48 were conferred by the British Government in reward for services under Lord Lake,
49 in the beginning of the present century. The founder of the State was Ahmad
50 Baksh Khan. His son, Amin-ud-din Khan, died in 1869, and was succeeded by his
51 son, Ala-ud-din Khan, who received. the title of naw4b in 1874, on condition of faith-
52 ful allegiance to the British Government. He also received a sanad of adoption.
53 Ala-ud-din Khan was an accomplished Arabic and Persian scholar. He died in
54 October, 1884, and was succeeded by his son, Amir-ud-din Ahmad Khan. The
55 condition of the finances has been embarrassed by the extrayagances of the late
56 chief, but the present chief is careful, and hopes are entertained of his eventually
57 rescuing the State from its financial difficulties. .