The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1926-09-30
INDIAN RULER TO
Il VISIT US AGAIN
Maharajah of Rajpipla SUI.
preme Potentate of In
dia's Smallest State.

WdsulngIOn.-lne prospective VlS1C
to this country of the maharajah Of
RaJpipla, who recently arrived in Lon
don accompanied by royal white
elephant recalls his sojourn in New
York and Washington during the sum-
her Of 1922 when he was received at
the White House by the late Presi-'
dent Harding.
A recent bulletin from the Washing
ton ID. o. headquarters of the Ma
tional Geographic society, says:
"Of approximately 900 native states
tn India, Rajpipla is among the small
Sst, somewhat resembling, in impor.
tance, a large county in one of our
several states.
MaharaIah a Real Potentate.
"Rajpipla is about 200 miles north
Of the city of Bombay, in the north
western part Of India. The state IL
slightly larger than Rhode Island and
has about two-thirds the population
Of Providence. The maharajah Is
king and boasts family supremacy
since 1470. He is entitled to be ad-
dressed his highness' and to sa-
lutte of II guns when approaching any
possessions Of the British empire.
Except for a British agent who re-
sides In these Indian states, the maha-
rajah has unrestricted power over his
subjects. His power Is rarely Ques-
toned except when a British subject
ts involved. Through tribute to neigh
boring states, his domain is protected
and protective forces within the bor-
ders of Rajpipla are apparently un-
necessary, considering the size Of its
army which consists Of Ill men.
"Two native tribes-the Bills (bow-
mem and the Kolis-make up the
greater portion of the population Of
Rajpipla. The Bills were once in
power in India. Under the rule of the
Moguls the Bills were submissive and
occupied the lowlands, but other tribes
treated them so cruelty that they re-
belled and fed to the hills from which
few Of them have returned. They
used the bow to defend the mountain
Businesses and repel invaders. In
1918 the British tried to subdue them
without success. In 1925, through the
use Of mnder. methods, a British
agency was established in the state.
Mark Royalty With Blood.
I'm many Of the central Indian
states the princes. on succession, have
their foreheads marked with blood
from the thumb, or toe of a Bill.
They believe this Is mark Of Bhil al
legiance, but it is more probably a rel
ic Of days when the tribe was in pow
Or In India.
They have binding oaths. The most
sacred Is that sworn by a dog, the
Bhil praying that the curse Of q dog
may fall upon him If he breaks his
word
For centuries Hanuman, the mon
key god, has been the chief divinity
Of these people. Offerings are also
made to the much feared goddess Of
smallpox and stone worship In still
found among them. =
Little more than one-third- Of
Rajpipla Is cultivated. Cotton is the
principal crop, while rice and kodra
are also largely grown. Kodra, a
grain grown on the hillsides is one Of
the chief foods, particularly of the
Bhils. Unless washed several times
before consumption, however, it is
slightly poisonous, causing giddiness
and faintness.
"In the southern portion of the state
are teak forests. Bamboo mating,
baskets and grindstones, are also pro-
duced"