1865.] Notes on the Gurjat State of Patna. 109 
trees, such as the mangoe, but also by the unmistakeable proof of 
old broken tiles and brick foundations of houses and temples. Nor 
is it alone immediately around the “ gurh” of Patna, that signs of 
former welfare and former energetic rule are to be found. Turning to 
the southern position of the state in the Kondhan zemindarees of 
Lowa and Topa, at Jhoorwace in Lowa, at Titoola and Oodeypoor in 
Topa, are numerous ruins of solid buildings, of from one to three 
stories high, and generally through the Kondhan lands are the walls of 
neglected temples at distances of two or four miles apart. Moreover 
to prove in some measure the earnestness which formerly existed for 
developing the country, and the respect which is still held for the race 
















of its once energetic rulers, it is to be remarked that the Khonds of 
the oldest Khond settlement at Saintula claim to have been brought 
to Patna from Jeypore by Raman Deo, and pride themselves in being 
still loyal and Khalsa subjects of his descendants. Further indications 
of decayed prosperity and past enterprise might be adduced and not 
least, this, the minute respectability and intelligence of some of the 
YZemindars and Gountiahs of old families; but enough perhaps has 
been noticed to prove that there is just ground for the boast of the 
Patna people that their country was once thickly populated and 
flourishing to such an extent, that even rich merchants were numbered 
in it up to the time when anarchy at first, and the depredations of the 
Mahrattas afterwards, compelled them to depart—till the occurrence of 
these events, which now remain to be noticed, it is believed, then, 
that the attention of the rulers of Patna, 20 in succession, was given 

to the welfare and prosperity of their country and subjects. 
& Cause of decline of power and prosperity—Hindur Shah Deo, 
the 20th Maharajah of Patna, died, leaving two young sons, the eldest 
named Raee Singh Deo under the guardianship of his younger brother, 
their uncle, Buckraj Singh. This uncle, in view to the usurpation of 
he Guddee, murdered the mother of the two boys and intended also to 
{kill the latter. But he was frustrated in this intention. For the boys 
|Were carried off in security to Phooljur by their maternal uncle, and 
\there brought up. Raee Singh Deo, on coming to age, sought assistance 
\irom Nagpore, and, procuring a force of Mahrattas, proceeded to regain 
his rights. He attacked and killed his uncle, and thus obtained 
/possession of his estate. But, however much this was beneficial to 
* 
