British Government; a startling change of practice which had of course attracted serious and growing attention, especially in the case of Jhánsí, causing grave and increasing anxiety and irritation among the rulers of the native States, and, in such a province as Rájputána, among the clansmen as well.
The subject was comparatively new to Sir Henry, but a case in point was then under consideration in Rájputána itself, in respect of the Karauli State; and he therefore, so to speak, read up the subject carefully and thoroughly. The Karauli State itself was an insignificant one; but the principle at issue was not really affected by the size or importance of the State: it was the principle itself to which importance was attached, and that to a degree which was hardly realized. The chief had died, after adopting as his successor a boy who was a distant relative, named Bhart Pal. Sir John Low had approved of this adoption, and Sir Frederick Currie had supported it in Council; but it had been opposed by the Governor-General. On the question being referred to England, however, he had been overruled — a very exceptional occurrence — and the adoption of Bhart Pal had been approved. Meanwhile Sir Henry, having made himself acquainted with the subject, had come to the conclusion that adoption was the proper course, but not in the line that had been taken.
The facts and reasons on which he based his conclusions were these. The Rájá who had died — Núr Singh Pal — was a minor and unmarried, and had
