Jayajirao Scindia

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The Maratha Empire in the nirth of Narmada was established by Bajirao Peshwa, Maharaja Ranoji Rao Shinde, Malhar rao Holkar, MeharBan Maharaj Jayappaji Rao Shinde, Vishwas rao Peshwa, Peshwa Madhorao, Meharban Srimant Jankoji Rao Shinde , Srimant Jyotibaji Rao Shinde, Srimant Tukaji rao Shinde, and many more.

But the most prominent and able was Alijah Srinath Bahadur Maharajadhiraj Mahadji Shinde Umdat ul amara, Vaqil-i-mutlaq

Later on Maharaja Daulat rao succeeded him, after his death Maharani Bayjabai Ruled .Jankoji (II) was the next ruler.and he was then succeeded by Jayajirao Maharaj

"The Maharajah Scindia of Gwalior" as seen in the Illustrated London News, 1875

Maharaja Jayajirao Scindia of the Scindia dynasty was the king of the princely state of Gwalior from 1843 to 1886 under the British rule.

He was born in the 1834 as Bhagirath Shinde. Maharaja Jankojirao II died in 1843; and in the absence of an heir, his widow Tara Bai adopted Bhagirath Rao, a son of Hanwant Rao, commonly called Babaji Sindhia. He succeeded under the name of Jayajirao Sindhia, and Mama Sahib, the maternal uncle of Jankojirao II, was chosen as regent. Tara Bai, however, came under the influence of Dada Khasgiwala, the comptroller of her household, an unscrupulous adventurer who wished to get all power into his own hands. A complicated series of intrigues followed, which it is impossible to unravel. The Dada, however, succeeded in driving Mama Sahib from the state and became minister. He filled all appointments with his relatives, and matters rapidly passed from bad to worse, ending in the assemblage of large bodies of troops who threatened an attack on Sironj, where Mama Sahib was then residing. War was impending in the Punjab, and, as it was essential to secure peace, the British Government decided to interfere. Colonel Sleeman, the Resident, was withdrawn, and the surrender of Dada Khasgiwala was demanded. A British force under Sir Hugh Gough moved on Gwalior, and crossed the Chambal in December 1843. On December 29 followed the simultaneous battles of Panniar and Maharajpur, in which the Gwalior army was annihilated. A treaty was then made, under which certain lands to the value of 18 lakhs, including Chanderi District, were ceded for the upkeep of a contingent force, besides other lands for the liquidation of the expensed incurred in the late war, the State army was reduced, and a Council of Regency was appointed during the minority, to act under the residents advice.

In 1852 Dinkar Rao became minister, and under his able management radical reforms were introduced into every department of the administration. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Sindhia gave valuable assistance to the British, at no little risk to himself. Early in June 1858 he was driven from Gwalior fort by Tantia Tope and the Rani of Jhansi, to whom all of his troops deserted. But on June 19, Gwalior was captured by Sir Hugh Rose and Jayajirao was reinstated. For his services lands worth 3 lakhs per year, including the city of Jhansi and the portion of Chanderi District west of the Betwa River, were made over, and he was allowed to increase his infantry from 3000 to 5000 men, and his artillery from 32 to 36 guns. The British continued to occupy Gwalior fort and Morar encampment.

His photos appeared in the London press and was regarded as the friend of the British Empire. In 1861 he was created a GCSI. in 1872 the state lent 75 lakhs for the construction of the Agra-Gwalior portion of the Great Indian Peninsular Railway, and a similar amount in 1873 for the Indore-Neemuch section of the Rajputana-Malwa railway. A personal salute of 21 guns was conferred in 1877, and Jayajirao became a Counsellor of the Empress and later on a GCB and CIE. In 1882 land was ceded by the state for the Midland section of the Great Indian Peninsular Railway. In 1886 Gwalior fort and Morar cantonment, with some other villages, which had been held by British troops since 1858, were exchanged for Jhansi city.

a photo by Talboys Wheeler from The Imperial Assemblage, 1877

Extract from the Prince of Wales's visit to India in 1875:

"Another great native Prince, whose portrait we engrave, is Jyajee Rao Scindia, Maharajah of Gwalior. It has been observed on a former occasion, when speaking of the Maharajah Holkar of Indore, that these Maharatta potentates of Western India are now valuable allies of the British Government. Scindia was overthrown in the Sepoy War of 1858, by a rebellion headed by Tantia Topee and the Dowager Princess of Jhansi, at the instigation of the Nana Sahib. He was restored by the British force under Sir Hugh Rose, now Lord Strathnairn, who stormed the rock-fortress of Gwalior. The Maharattas, till their defeat by Lord Lake and other British commanders, at the beginning of this century, possessed the greater part of the Deccan, and Poonah was the capital of their dominion."

He had two sons from his marriage, Madhavrao II Scindia and Shrimant Balwant Rao, and it is also believed that he had a son from Chandrabhaga Bai,[1] a famous dancer in the court of Gwalior. Shrimant Ganapat Rao also known as Bahiya Saheb Scindia went on to become the one of the great musicians, who taught many pandits and ustads of the future.

[edit] Reference

[edit] Jankojirao (II) Shinde

When Naib vaqil i mutlaq Maharaj Daulatrao Shinde died in 1827 he was not having a son so according to his wish Maharani Baizabai adopted a child named Mukut Rao from close family members. He was given the name Jankoji [In remembrance to Meharban Sardar JANKOJIRAO SHINDE <son of Meharban Maharaj JAYAJIRAO SHINDE >,who fought in paniput against Ahmedshah Abdali.] The main power of Kingdom thus came in hands of Baizabai Jankoji II was married to daughter of dabhade but after her death two years later he married to Tarabai. Warren Hasting established a good policy to get control over Gwalior during this time. Jankoji II doesn't got time for attending the matter of India due to his family war against Baizabai. But did some good work like manufacturing Temples and 'TAALS ',gardens etc. Still according to historical evidence he is regarded as the weakest King of Scindia <Shinnde> dynasty. He died in 1843.