HC Deb 23 March 1858 vol 149 cc574-5
MR. J. B. SMITH

said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of the Board of Control, Whether the Board has received any intelligence that the Government of India has confiscated and annexed the Principality of Dhar; whether orders for such proceedings emanated from the Board of Control; and if not, whether the Board approves of, and sanctions this annexation?

MR. BAILLIE

in reply said, that by the mail which arrived on the previous day, a Despatch was received containing a Proclamation issued by the Political Agent of the Governor General for Central India. In that proclamation of Sir Robert Hamilton, the Rajah of Dhar was deposed. The Rajah, a lad of about thirteen years of age, had lately succeeded by adoption to the inheritance, and the reason stated in the Proclamation for his deposition was the treason of his durbar, composed of his own relations and friends, who governed the State during his minority. No orders had been issued on the subject from this country, but the deposition was proclaimed entirely upon the responsibility of the Governor General, and as yet the question itself had not come before Her Majesty's Government.