The Indian Biographical Dictionary (1915)/Gwalior, Maharaja of
Gwalior, Maharaja of; Major General H.H. Sushtar-ul-mulk, Azim-ul-Iktidar Rafl-ush-Khan Wala Shikoh Sustashaini-i-Dauran Umdat-ul-Umara Maharaj Adhiraj Alijah Hisam-us-Caltanat Maharaja Sir Madho Rao Mindhia Bahadur Mrinath Mansula-izaman Fidwi-i-Hazrat-i-Malika-i-Muaz-Zama-i-Rafl-ud-Darja-i-Inglistan, G.C.S.I., (1895), G.C.V.O. (190-2). LL.D. (Cantab), b, 1876; succeeded to title as a minor, 1886; invested with full powers, 1894; an enlightened ruler, keenly interested in, and having a comprehensive grasp of, the work done in every branch of the administration; established an Irrigation Department, by the efforts of which thousands of acres of land formerly lying barren, have been brought under cultivation; organised Customs Department and improved the Maramat or Public Works Department; Constructed the Victoria College and Memorial Hospital at Lashkar, the Madhava College and Maharaja’s Palace at Ujjain, the Gwalior Light Railway and the Ujjain Water Works; maintains Arts College at Lashkar, a Training School for officials, two Sardar’s schools (one for boys, and one for girls), a Military school, and an Engineering school; opened a large number of hospitals and dispensaries all over the State; opened relief works in the famine of 1899-00 costing over 38 lakhs and distributed over 14 laKhs in gratutious relief; area of the State, 2504 square miles; population, about 8 millions; revenue, 150 lakhs; Hony Colonel and Extra A.D.C. to H.M. the Emperor; Hony Colonel, British Army, 1891; went to China as Orderly Officer to General Sir C Gaselee, 1901; provided the expedition with a hospital ship at his cost; Hon Colonel, 1st Duke of York’s Own Lancers, 1906: visited England on the occasion of the Coronation of Emperor Edward VII, 1902; maintains 3 regiments of Imperial Service Cavalry, 2 Battalions of Imperial Service Intantry, and a Transport Corps which served in the Chitral and Tirah Campaigns; 2 batteries of horse artillery, 3 bullock batteries, one elephant battery and 5 battalions of Intantry. The real capital of the State is Lashkar, 2 miles south of the ancient city of Gwalior and contains the palace of the Maharaja, who also has palaces built at Sipri and Ujjain; entitled to a Salute of 19 guns. Address: Gwalior, Central India.