Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-12
MAHARAJAH'S RULE.
OF SUBJECTS FIRM
Prospective Visit Here of
najpipia Recalls His
Native Authority.

The prospective visit to this coun:
try of the Maharajah of Rajpipla,
who recently arrived in London &C
companied by a royal white elephant,
recalls his sojOurn in New York and
Washington during the Summer OF
1922, when he was received at the
White House by the late President
Harding In connection with his visit
the National Geographic Society gives
an interesting sketch of the Malaria
jan 5 domain.
'Of approximately 600 native states
in India. Rajpipla is among the small
est. somewhat resembling. in impor
lance, q large county, it says.
Is Real Potentate.
"Raipipla is about 200 miles north
of the city Of Bombay, in the north
western part Of India. The state is
slightly larger than Rhode Island and
has about two-thirds the population
of Providence. The Maharajah is
King and boasts family supremacy
since 1870 He is entitled to be ad'
dressed his highnesS' and to salute
Of II guns when approaching any pos
sessions of the British Empire. TX
cept for q British agent who resides
in. these Indian states, the MahafaJah
has Unrestricted power over MS SUP
i.cl~. Ills power is rarely questioned
except when d British subject IS m
VOWED Through tribute to neighbof-
ing states his domain is protected,
md protective forces within the Dor
ders Of Rajpipla are apparently I'M
necessary. considering the size OF It's
army. which consists of Ill men.
Wild Natives Predominant.
1.-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 50 cruelty that
they rebelled and fed to the hills,
from which few of them have re-
turned. They used the bow to defend
the mountain Businesses and repel in
vaders. In 1918 the British tried to
subdue them, without success. In
1926. through the use of milder meth
DDS, q British agency was established
in the state.
Marked 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 Bill. They
believe this is a mark of Bill al
legiance, but it is more probably
relic of days when the tribe was In
power in India.
They have binding oaths. The most
sacred is that sworn by dog, the Bill
praying that the curse of 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 or
smallpox, and stone worship is still
found among them. Many have be-
come Moslems and HinduS.
Poison a Chief Food.
Little more than one-third OF
Rajpipla is cultivated. Cotton is the
principal crop, while rice and kodra
are also largely grown. kodra,
grain grown on the hillsides, is one
Of the chief foods, particularly of the
Bills. 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.