350 



the former was admitted by Jeajee to a participation of power; 

 but Tucojee dying, left a son named Kedrajee. Ranojee Sindia 

 had also a son by a butkee, or bond-woman, whose name was 

 Mahdarao, but who has since become better known by that of 

 Mhadajee Sindia. As among the Hindoos the offspring of a bond- 

 woman is not held in equal esteem, nor admitted to inheritance 

 with the legitimate children, so was this young man excluded from 

 all share in his father's estate: insomuch that he was driven to the 

 necessity of serving in the armies of Bhaou, his father's patron, as 

 a yeke sonar too shinas, which signifies a cavalier admitted to the 

 acquaintance of the chief. 



When MJiavajah Buckt Sihng, rajah of Marwar, died, his 

 nephew, Ram Sihng, son of Rarah AbJie Sihng, his elder brother, 

 who during the life of his uncle had not entirely concealed his 

 pretensions, openly aspired to the rajahship, and raised an army 

 to support his claims against his cousin, Bejee Sihng, the son and 

 successor of the late rajah. Hostilities between these competitors 

 had subsisted for two years with great animosity, when Jeajee Appa, 

 on his return from Shah-Jehanabad towards Malwa, passed near 

 Marwar, and gave Ram Sihng an opportunity of procuring a 

 meeting; in which, notwithstanding the large offers of Bejee Sihng, 

 he solicited and obtained Jeajee's assistance; who upbraided Be- 

 jee Sihng with his father having deprived his elder brother's son 

 of his inheri lance; since, according to the custom of the Hin- 

 doos, an hereditary government devolved in course to the eldest 

 branch. 



Thus reinforced, Ram Sihng renewed the contest with vigour; 

 the whole open country was reduced to his authority, and all ap- 



