264 Cjpt. Franklin's Memoir on Bundellhund. 



TRASAL, was most conspicuous, at length, compelled tiie Muhammedan 

 government to withdraw its t'hanahs ; and Pehar Sinh, the tliird son of the 

 late Rdjd Birsingh Deo was installed in the possessions ofliis ancestors. 



From this period the Rajas of Bundelkhund became feudatories of the 

 Muhammedan government, famishing their quotas of troops for the service 

 of the empire, and attending in person when required ; and their bravery 

 and warlike character frequently proved of great use : thus, for instance, 

 Indra Mani in the reign of Aurungzeb took part in the war against iShah 

 Shuja, and wfts present at the battle of A'wro Jchdndbdd. Avadatta Singh, 

 in the reign of Bf.hadur Shah, assisted in the war against the Sikhs; and, 

 for his conduct in the siege of Fatehghar, was honoured witli the insignia of 

 the Mahi Muratib as a mark of distinction. Sawant Singh (^Sdmanta 

 Sinlia) in like manner, in the reign of SiiAh Aalaji, was honoured witli the 

 title of Mahendra for services at Jhanxi, which title is still retained by the 

 head of the family to tlie present day. But after the accession of Hatti 

 Singh (Hasti S'mha), the successor of Sdmanta, family quarrels, and the 

 pretensions of Pajan Singh introduced a state of anarchy and confusion, 

 which still further weakened their power, luitil the accession of Bikramajit, 

 (Vicramaditya) whose good sense and judicious conduct not only stayed the 

 progress of decay, but eventually secured the stability of his possessions by 

 an alliance with the British government. His earliest measures were to 

 resist and overcome the pretensions and aggressions of Pajan^ Singh, which 

 he fully effected ; and, on the occupation of Bundelkhund by the British, he 

 immediately connected his interest with theirs. Circumstances, however, 

 dependant on political considerations, prevented the fulfilment of his wishes 

 at that time: but, subsequently, in 181'3, being alarmed at the progress of 

 Sindia's encroachments, he renewed bis solicitations for British protection ; 

 and that government, convinced of the expediency of the measure, con- 

 cluded a treaty of friendship and alliance with him, by virtue of which his 

 territories are protected from foreign invasion. 



Bikramajit resigned his power during his lifetime to his son, D'harm Pal, 

 and the seat of government is removed from Oorcha to Tehri. The depen- 

 dencies of Tehri now constitute the whole of the possessions of the Bundela 

 chief; but the principalities of Jlidn.ti, Daltiya, and Simpt'hir have all 

 emanated from the parent state, which was governed by the former R('{jds of 

 this dynasty. 



The above sketches relate to the historv of the tract situated west of the 



