1 THE PATTIALA STATE. © 61
2 cultivate his share of the land. The soil they owned
3 was unirrigated, yet it nevertheless yielded abundant
4 harvests. But although no more than simple agricul-
5 turists, the Mahardjkians had, given up none of their
6 warlike habits. Each man cartied arms, which he never
7 laid aside, even at the plough ; for the whole community
8 was of so turbulent a character, that no one was safe
9 from the encroachment of his neighbour. Such being the
10 case, it may seem strange that these men had been so long
11 able to preserve their independence, were they not always
12 ready to unite against any common enemy ; and their
13 strength, bravery, and warlike habits, caused them to be
14 respected. They had scarcely any sort of municipal
15 government, and their only ‘Taw was of equal division of
16 inheritance.
17 During Muhammadan days the mea had paid
18 tribute to Dehli, and, when the empire fell, they naturally F
19 referred to the neighbouring Chiefs to arbitrate in their
20 disputes ; some going to Nabha, some to Jhind, and
21 others to Pattiala; and as these States had Police and
22 Revenue posts on the boundary, they were always ready
23 to send troops into the Mahardajkian territory whenever
24 their help was asked. This state of things led to the
25 usual results. The Chiefs whose assistance was asked gave
26 it with the sole object of strengthening their own personal
27 influence and power : rival factions called in rival Chiefs,
28 and the people gained very little benefit from the foreign
29 interference ; while jealousies and feuds continually in-
30 creased. Weary, at last, of perpetual disorder, the
31 Maharajkians solicited the help of the British Government.
32 The case was avery difficult one to decide: Pattiala,
33 Nabha, and Jhind, each claimed superiority, but to this
34 they had no title, nor could they show that, at any time,
35 .L
36 The causes
37 led to the ‘mt borg
38 Who, at last,
39 solicit the pro-
40 tection of the
41 British Govern.
42 men