The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-21

Mahra1ta power in india: but he owes his
occupation of the throne to an indiscre-
ton of his predecessor, Gaekwar Mulhar
Rao who cut up such high 1inlSs in 1875
that his Maharani fed for protection to
the home of Colonel Pharye, the English
resident. The Gaekwar made a bluff Of
discharging some blank cannon charges
al the residents house, but 1t didn't work.
Her highness refused to return to Rao's
zenana, and little later Colonel Phayre
got some chemicals in his food which
acted like poison on his system. The gay
old Maharaja was tried and deposed, al
though he wasn't convicted of having
poisoned the resident. II was up to the
Maharani then, in accordance with the
Hindoo custom, to appoint the succeed
ing ruler. Guided by Englands helping
hand she chose Gopal Rao, the present
Maharaja, then boy of II.
The haharaja's income has been esti-
mated at from s5,00OOO0 TO $500, 600 a year.
The Scindhia of Gwalior, with $4,000 600
a year, is said to be the richest of the
Indian princes. The Maharaja has 100000
subjects under his rule. The state con-
tains 500 square miles. Besides his enor
NOUS income, the Gaekwar of Baroda pos
sesses jewels which have been valued at
between $50, 600 and SAC, 900, 0O0
Ordinarily, this wonderful collection lies
in the Nazar Bal, on exhibition; but on
state occasions there is no Indian prince
who is more brilliantly arrayed. Persons
who have seen the Maharaja on dress
parade say that he fairly scntillates
from the crown of his head down There
is one mantle, or shawl. which is said to
be the most precious piece Of jewelry in
the world. 1t is made of woven pearls,
with border of diamonds, emeralds. ru-
bies and sapphires. 1t is said to have
been made originally as decoration for
Mahomet's tomb The peace is valued at
several million dollars.
Her majesty the Maharani is quite a
young woman. She is the Gaekwar's sec
ond wife. She Is received In court in Eng
land In the same rank as the royal prin-
cesses. In appearance she is almost child
like, with a long shawl of fine texture
over her head and wound about her body.
She had very little jewelry. In the center
OF her forehead was the customary kum-
kuma mark of the Hndoo woman who is
not widowed 1t is made with a pinlish
lead, and is about the size of dime.
The Maharaja and his party had thirty
six pieces of baggage, all of which We're
passed by the customs inspectors with
out examination. There are one secretary
and three servants with the party. They
are at the Waldorf-Astoria.
When he goes out on parade the Maha-
raja wears a diamond cap and jeweled
gloves. Besides these things, he has one
gold and one silver cannon, which are
drawn on state occasions by bullocks
with magnificent trappings Four of the
cannons-two gold ones and two silver
ones-oame into the present Gaekwar' $
possession when he became the ruler.
Within recent years one of each was
melted down. and the proceeds turned
into the state treasury for the purpose,
It is said, of relieving famine conditions
in Baroda. These guns are among the
worlds most notable curiosites. The
gold one it is said, weighs 400 pounds
but 1t has a steel casing, which probably
counts for good many pounds.
The Maharaja said he wants in the six
or seven weeks of his stay in this coun-
try to gather up a lot of ideas which
will be of benefit to his people. He wants
to learn the secret of American success.
He wants to get ideas for the broaden
ing of Baroda's school system, for he in
tends to keep pushing things until there
are free schools al lover the state.
One of the reporters wanted to know
whether he had any particular hobby.
That word stumped him for a second,
but after he had spoken to his secretary
he replied most seriously:
1.-The best interest of my state-that is
my only hobby"
The Maharaia is an enthusiastic golfer.
and has brought his clubs along with
him. He also is keen hunter. He has
| letters of introduction to prominent men
| Qncluding Mark Twain In every large
city in the country.