The most important case is that of Malhar Rao Gaikwar. He was guilty of gross misgovernment, and Colonel Phayre, the Resident, exposed the abuses of his administration. Thereupon the Gaikwar is alleged to have made an attempt to poison the Resident by mixing diamond dust with his food (November, 1874). Lord Northbrook had the Gaikwar arrested in January, 1875, and appointed a Commission for his trial. The Commission included three Indians and three Englishmen, and was presided over by the Chief justice of Bengal. The Commission were divided in their opinion. The three Englishmen held the Gaikwar guilty of the charge, but the three eminent Indian members–the Maharajas of Gwalior and Jaipur, and Sir Dinkar Rao–were of opinion that the charge was not proved. The Government of India accordingly acquitted the Gaikwar of the charge of attempted murder, but deposed him for ” his notorious misconduct, his gross mis- government of the State, and his evident incapacity to carry into effect necessary reforms”.
A new Gaikwar was installed on the throne. The choice fell upon a boy named Sayaji Rao who was distantly connected with the ruling family. Arrangements were made for the proper education and training of the boy, and Sir T. Madhava Rao ably administered the State during his minority. The boy who was thus called to the throne became one of the most enlightened rulers of India, and under his paternal guidance Baroda became one of the most progressive States in the whole of India. He died in January, 1939.
The case of Manipur affords another illustration of the new policy. The new Maharaja, Sura-Chandra, was deposed as a result of a palace revolution on 21st September, 1890. The Senapati, Tikendrajit, an able and popular man, was suspected of instigating it, though there was no positive evidence in this respect. Sura-Chandra sought British help for his restoration. The Political Agent, Mr. Grimwood, was against it. After an interview between Lord Lansdowne, the Viceroy, and Mr. Quinton, the Chief-Commissioner of Assam, towards the end of February, 1891, the Government of India decided to recognise Kula-Chandra, the second brother, as the Maharaja of Manipur on his agreeing to the following conditions: (1) to govern the kingdom according to the advice of the Political Agent: (2) to allow the Political Agent to maintain 300 soldiers in the Residency: and (3) to deport Tikendrajit from Manipur. To give effect to these Mr. Quinton started for Manipur in March, 1891, with an escort of 400 Gurkha soldiers and a few civilians. When Mr. Quinton wanted to arrest Tikendra it in his house on 24th March, the latter offered a strong resistance with Manipur soldiers and the British force had to fall back to the Residency. The Manipuri soldiers even attacked the Residency and when the British position was almost hopeless there was a cease-fire. An interview was arranged with Tikendrajit in which Mr. Quinton, Mr. Grimwood, Lieutenant Simpson and two other Englishmen were present. But the negotiations failed and when the British party proceeded towards the gate they were attacked by an excited mob and without the knowledge of Tikendrajit four Englishmen were murdered by Tongol General. The rest returned to British territory on 31st March.
