Hindna Deshi Rajyo - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Hindna Deshi Rajyo" by Kuberbhai Motibhai, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Hindna Deshi Rajyo (Princely States of India) Author: Kuberb6hai Motibhai Publisher: Ranchhodlal Gangaram Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/034512/1

Overall Summary:

"Hindna Deshi Rajyo" is a detailed gazetteer of the princely states of India (excluding Gujarat and Rajputana) as compiled in the late 19th century (Sanvat 1946, corresponding to 1990 AD). The book aims to provide Gujarati readers with information about the numerous significant princely states within India, for which such resources were scarce in the vernacular language at the time.

The text begins with a dedication to Mahārāṇā Shri Fateh Singhji of Bhadrava, acknowledging his administrative skills, benevolence towards his subjects, and support for education and literature.

The Preface (Prastavana) highlights the author's motivation: to fill a void in Gujarati literature concerning the princely states of India, following earlier works on Gujarat-Rajasthan and Rajputana. The author draws parallels between geography and history, stating that geography maps the earth while history maps past events, and he has incorporated both aspects into the book. He acknowledges the assistance of several English and Gujarati books, reports, and newspapers in its compilation, expressing gratitude to their authors. He also thanks his brother, Parshotam Motibhai, and Premanand, the master of Savali Gujarati School, for their help in writing and correcting errors. The author welcomes feedback for future editions.

The Table of Contents (Anukramnikā) reveals the extensive coverage of the book, listing numerous princely states grouped by region or presidency, including:

Major Southern States: Hyderabad, Mysore, Central India (Indur), Gwalior, Bhopal, Rewa, Tehri, Dhar, Dewas, Indore, Jhabua, Ratlam, Panna, Rajgarh, Narsinghgarh, Jhabua-Sillana, Sitamau, Sumpur, Chirkari, Chhatarpur, Ajaygadh, Bijawar, Baoni, Alirajpur, and Vadhavan.
Western India (Bombay Presidency): Kolhapur, Kutch, Khairpur, Samavatwadi, Jhind.
Southern India (Madras Presidency): Travancore, Cochin, Ramanad.
Northern India (Punjab): Kashmir, Patiala, Bahawalpur, Jind, Nabha, Kapurthala, Mandi, Kahlur (Bilaspur), Chamba, Sukhet, Kulu-Morkotla, Sirmaur, Faridkot.
North-Western Provinces: Rampur, Banaras (Kashi), Tehri (Garhwal).
Bengal Presidency: Sikkim, Kuch Bihar, Tipperah, Manipur.

The subsequent pages provide historical context and details about India's geography, administration, and history.

Key Content and Themes:

Geography and Borders of India: The text begins by describing India's geographical boundaries, its diverse terrain, and its significant rivers and mountains. It also mentions the inclusion of British Burma within the administrative framework of India.
Administrative Divisions: It outlines the division of India into various provinces, highlighting the roles of the Viceroy, Governors, Lieutenant Governors, and Commissioners. The administrative headquarters for each province are listed.
Political Structure: The book differentiates between British-administered territories and princely states. It notes the existence of independent hill states, Portuguese colonies (like Goa), and French possessions (like Pondicherry), acknowledging their separate status.
Historical Overview: A significant portion of the text is dedicated to a historical narrative of India, starting from ancient times with references to the Surya and Chandra Vamshas, the epic Mahabharata, and the reign of Vikramaditya. It then traces the invasions and rule of Muslims, including the Ghori dynasty, the Delhi Sultanate (mentioning the Khilji and Tughlaq dynasties), and the Mughal Empire.
Rise of the Marathas: The text details the emergence of the Maratha empire under Shivaji and the subsequent Peshwas.
British Ascendancy: A substantial part of the history focuses on the arrival of the East India Company, its early trade relations, conflicts with local powers and European rivals (Portuguese, Dutch, French), and its gradual expansion of influence and territory through treaties, alliances, and military victories. Key events like the Battle of Plassey, the assumption of Diwani rights, and the wars with Mysore (Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan), the Marathas, and the Sikhs are described.
The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857: The book provides a detailed account of the causes, events, and consequences of the 1857 rebellion, highlighting the role of sepoys, the spread of unrest, key locations of the uprising (Meerut, Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur), and the eventual suppression by the British.
Post-Mutiny Period: It touches upon the transfer of power from the East India Company to the British Crown, the subsequent administrative reforms, the visits of royal dignitaries (Prince of Wales), and the celebration of Queen Victoria's Jubilee.
Detailed Profiles of Princely States: The core of the book lies in the individual profiles of numerous princely states. For each state, it typically provides:
- Name of the state.
- Name and title of the ruler.
- Ruler's age and lineage/caste (e.g., Rajput, Maratha, Muslim).
- Area in square miles.
- Population.
- Annual revenue.
- Tribute paid to the British government.
- Salute (number of guns).
- Number of villages.
- A brief historical overview of the state, including its founding, key rulers, administrative changes, and relationship with the British.
- Geographical description, major rivers, climate, and chief products.
- Information about the capital city and other important towns.

Examples of Detailed State Information (as seen in the provided pages):

Hyderabad: Ruled by the Nizam, an Afghan Pathan Muslim. Details include its area, population, revenue, and boundaries.
Mysore: Ruled by a Mahārājā from the Yaduvanshi Rajput lineage, its area, population, revenue, and annual tribute to the British are given.
Gwalior: Identified as the state of the Sindhias, ruled by a Maratha Mahārājā. Information includes its area, population, revenue, tribute, number of villages, and a detailed history of the Sindhia dynasty.
Indore: Ruled by a Maratha Mahārājā of Ahir lineage, known as the Holkar Mahārājā. Information covers its area, population, revenue, and the administrative structure with separate provinces.
Bhopal: Ruled by a Nawab from the Afghan lineage, currently by a Begum. Details on its area, population, revenue, and administrative divisions are provided.
Rewa: Ruled by a Rajput Mahārājā from the Vaghela dynasty. Information on its area, population, revenue, and historical background is presented.
Panna: Ruled by a Bundela Rajput Mahārājā. Details include its area, population, revenue, and historical lineage tracing back to ancient Indian dynasties.
Cochin: Ruled by a Kshatriya king, its area, population, revenue, and the unique matrilineal succession system are highlighted.
Kutch: Ruled by a Jadeja Rajput Mahārājā, its distinctive geography (the Rann of Kutch), population, revenue, and the history of the Jadeja dynasty are described.

Language and Style:

The book is written in Gujarati. The language is descriptive and informative, aiming to be accessible to the common Gujarati reader. The author maintains a factual tone while acknowledging the contributions of previous scholars and sources.

Significance:

This book serves as a valuable historical document, providing a snapshot of the princely states of India in the late 19th century. It reflects the prevailing knowledge and administrative perspective of the time. For historians, researchers, and anyone interested in the political and geographical landscape of India during the British Raj, this work offers significant insights into the diverse and complex structure of the subcontinent. It demonstrates the author's commitment to disseminating knowledge about India's rich princely heritage to a Gujarati audience.