The English and India; New Sketches. the Sepoy Mutiny.]

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1883. Excerpt: ... 215 CHAPTER VIII. INSURRECTION IN CENTRAL INDIA. The great Mahratta dynasties--Siraji Feischwah--The dynasties of Scindia and Holkar--The Rajpoot princes--The Pandaris--The Rohillas--The English infringe the native right of adoption--State of the public mind in Central India and Rajpootana--Mutiny at Gwalior--Scindia remains faithful--Mutiny at Indore--Holkar remains faithful -- Massacre at Tansi --Mutiny of the native troops at Nacirabad, Neemuch, Joudpore, &c.-- The Nizam of Hyderabad--Mutiny at Aurangabad--Relief of Mhow -- Expedition of the Anglo-Indian forces into Malwa. It still remains for us to follow the different phases of the insurrection in the central provinces of India, where the great Mahratta dynasties and the Rajpoot princes retained a semblance of sovereign power. In order to explain the condition of the country, it is necessary to define in some detail the relations between the British authorities and the native sovereigns. The generic name of Mahratta (Mah, great; rat, country) is given to the entire population of that large portion of Hindostan to the south of the Nerbudda, known under the name of the Deccan.1 The origin of the 1 At the beginning of the insurrection, the population of the native states, whether allied or tributary, can be estimated in round numbers as follows: -- The Rajah of Mysore 3,000,000 The Nizam 10,000,000 The Guickhowar 2,000,000 Bhopal 5,000 Kotah 6,500 The princes of Rajpootana, of Joudpore, Jeypore, Oudey- pore, Bikanir, Tessalmir, and others; the Mahratta princes Holkar, of Katyarat, of Guzerat, &c. . . 15,000,000 Bondi Travancore Cochin 2,500 6,000 2,000 The dominions of Scindia 4,000,000 Total . 34,022,000 Mahrattas is lost in the night of ages, but they rose to no importance before the chaotic period that preceded the overthrow of...