English
Mangalaji Bucha, then in the Gondal State’s service, was accused of clandestinely supporting the VSghira out-laws, and put on his trial. A Court was held at Rajkote consisting of Col. Anderson as Judge and President, and Mr. Gokulaji- bhS,i and three others as Assessors. At the end of the trial, CoL Anderson found the accused 'guilty. ’ 18 GoktilajibhM with his colleagues returned a verdict of ‘ not guilty. ' This very much surprised the Presi- dent, but not so much the people, as the latter had faith in GokulajibhS,p8 character and indepen- dence. The matter was, of course, submitted to the Bombay Government. They, after fully examining the case, issued orders to acquit and release the accused, thus adding to the reputation for impar- tial justice which the British Government so deser- vedly enjoys among the people generally. Through this incident Gukulajibh^ first incurred the wrath of Col. Anderson. In December 1868, the Broach Exhibition was opened. 'Gokulajibh&i went there to attend the open- ing ceremony with the Heir-apparent of Jun^gadha, Bjlpumi^ Saheb. After the ceremony was over, GokuiajibhM arranged to go to N^ndoda, to pay his respects to his first ) Guru, Sachchidinanda Parama- hansa, and invited the present writer to accompany him there. The quiet, courteous and amiable Bakshi MathurMtlsa was also with us. The whole of the Panchadas'i was known by heart to GokulajibbM. He most kindly expounded it to us with great effect while we were travelling. We talked over a great many subjects during this journey, and on one occasion he spoke very highly of his friend Mr. S^maiadS.sa’s abilities and learning, and asked the present writer to make his acquaintance when an opportunity offered. In 1869, at the instance of GokulajibhAi, the pre- sent writer was appointed the Jundgadha State Agent in Bombay. The Morvi Jortalbi case brou^t Gokulajibh4i to Bombay in the rainy season of the 19 same year. We went to Puna, as the Governor Sir Seymour Fitzgerald was there, and remained there for three months and enjoyed the trip very much. We returned to Bombay during the Divaii Holidays. Goku- lajibhai was much pleased with the highly spoken-of Bombay Divaii. He then left for Gujardta. At Baroda, we met Mr. Pranalal, then Deputy Collector of Pancha Mahaia, who wished us to go to the Pavag- adha Hills. Gokulajibhai, having faith in the Mahd- mdyd, consented to go there and see the temple consecrated to one of her forms, Kaiika. While return- ing thence, Gokulajibhai suddenly appeared irri- tated and lost his temper with Baksbiji Mathuradas for a very slight reason. This was the first time the writer saw this weakness in him. But his returning to himself was as rapid. In a few minutes he became composed and as pleasant as before. Gokulajibhai did the writer the honour of visiting his house at Nadiad on his way back to Junagadh. Gokulajibhai fully appreciated the value and use- fulness of well-educated young men of character, and was always anxious to enlist such gentlemen in the Junagadh service without any distinction of caste or creed. His views were very liberal. He used to observe that he regarded those as his relatives who were deserving of the State service by their educa" tion, qualifications and honesty, and would only employ such. This spirit is unusual in those who have places in their gift. Gokulajibhai asked the writer to recommend to him some professional gentlemen for the medical and judicial services. He, accordingly, recommended Mr. 20 Amid&s Manaji, L. M. of the Bombay University, who was at once employed at Jun^gadh as a Doctor. The other gentleman recommended was Mr. Mani- hhii Jasbh^i, who temporarily joined the JunS,gadha State for one year, as Judicial Member of the Council, during which time he won such high estimation, that the Durbar long after continued desirous of ob- taining his valuable services on his own terms. Messrs. Harid^sa Vih^ridisa, Motil^la lAlabh^i, Jan^rdana Sakh^lr^ma G^dgil, Hormasji Ardesir Wd.- dia, Jamasedji Ardesir DalM, and many others, were subsequently offered places at Jun&gadha, but some cause or other prevented them from going there. In 1870 arose the question of interference by the Political Agent in cases between the Native States and their Grdsi^s. The Political Agent, Col. Anderson, made the cause of the Gr^site and Bh^y&ds his own. The Chiefs regarded the measure contemplated by the Po- litical officers as very injurious to their administration. The matter grew serious. As the measure was taken in hand at the instance of the Secretary of State for India, and all the Political officers were on the opposite side, there was no hope of the Chiefs’ gaining their point. All the States, however, became united and proved the truth of the proverb — ‘Union is strength/ as effectively as they had formerly proved in many cases, — ‘Divison is death.’ The first class States deputed their Ministers to Government and they sought and obtained an inter- view with His Excellency the Governor, Sir Seymour Fitzgerald. The just and considerate Mr. W. Wedder- bum, then Political Secretary to Government, assist- 21 ed by Mr. John Jardine, smoothed the way by his judicious settlement of the preliminaries of the scheihe at Fund, where the ministers had gone. They all returned to Bombay after the monsoon was over. A conference was held at Government House, Mala- hiv Point, between the Governor, his Political Secre- tary Mr. Wedderburn, and the Political Agent Col. Anderson, on the one side, and the K^rabh^ris (mini- sters) with their deputies on the other side ; the pre- sent writer acting as interpreter. Prolonged discus- sions, extending over several weeks, took place on the subject, and as to the best practical means and ways of carrying out the desired object. GokulajibhS,i was the spokesman on the side of the Chiefs. He conducted the discussion in such a manner as evoked, not unfrequently, very high praise from His Excel- lency the Governor. In the last interview after the settlement. Sir Seymour Fitzgerald paid very flatter- ing compliments, stating that he was very much pleased by the meetings; that the abilities, knowledge, experience, and statesmanship displayed by the dele- gates were praiseworthy; and that he must add that he had seen very few debaters so competent in dis- cussion as their spokesman Gokulaji S^heb. Gokulajibh^i was of opinion that many difficulties and causes of injustice would be removed, and to the eventual interest of both, the bond of mutual affection would be drawn closer, if good men from among Europeans and natives were actuated by an abiding desire to aid in the better knowledge and more honest understanding of the East and West. They returned to EAthi&v&d, after effecting an honorable settlement of a grave question. The 22 satellites of the Political Agent made him regard the success of the KHrabh^ris, as his own failure and low of prestige. His wrath descended on GokulajibhAi and Gauris'ankara, the leaders. In his annual report he made very unfavourable remarks about the J un&gadha administration, forgetting the praises he had himself bestowed upon it in previous years. Gokulajibh^i fully experienced the great difficulties of the delicate position of a K^rabh^ri of a Native State, who had to please not only the proverbial two but three masters, — his own Chief, his subjects, and the Political Agent. Col. Anderson went on furlough, and was succeed- ed by Mr. J. B. Peile. He called for a report from Major Watson, the Assistant Political Agent in Sorath, and submitted it to the Government along with his own, showing that there was nothing wrong in the Jun^- gadha State which required special attention from Government. Mr. Peile, like Col. Keatinge, fully appreciated the many good qualities and qualifications of Gokulajibh^i, and entertained a very high opinion of his character, as may be seen from the following letter addressed to the writer, in 18 T9. He says : — " I had very much to do with him in an official way, and many difficulties to meet as you are well aware. His own position was an embarrassing one, and I have always considered that his policy was single-minded, and that he acted rightly as far as the measures taken by the Jun%adha State were directed by his authority. I also saw much of him as a private person, and had a great esteem and liking for him. He was fond of seeking the society of Englishmen, and 2d ■wm always genial and amusing in conversation on the topics of the day. I much regretted his death, and if I had remained in Kithi^vM, I should have missed him constantly from the circle of able men who used to consult with me on the affairs of the province. There was only one other Ajam Gauris'ankara, whom I placed in the same rank in my regard.’’ CoL Anderson returned from his furlough, and resumed charge of the Political Agency. He, being k good gentleman by nature, had almost forgotten his former ill-feeling towards Gokulajibh^i. But his satellites revived it in him by poisoning his mind afresh. Unfortunately, he this time tried to get Gokulajibh^li dismissed by the Nav4b Siheb. The latter wished to present a bold front and refuse. But Gokulajibhai perceived the consequence of all this and himself proposed to retire, fearing that the Political Agent might otherwise injure the interests of the State in other ways. After some months, the Political Agent went to JunS,gadha and personally pressed the Nav4b S3,heb to remove Gokulajibhii. He was first deputed to attend a wedding at the Hon. Mr. Mor^raji’s at Bombay, and on his return, was asked to retire from his office on full pay. His own friend Khan Bahadur S^leh Hindi, took charge of the Div^lnship. Col.