Korwai
Korwai, 1908
(Kurwat). — A mediatized chiefship directly dependent on the British Government, in Central India, under the Bhopal Agency, lying between 24 degree 1’and 24 degree 14' N. and 78 degree 2' and 78 degree 9' E., with an area of about in square miles. It is bounded by the Central Pro- vinces on the north and east, and by parts of Gwalior State on the remaining sides. It is situated on the edge of the Malwa plateau, partly in the Bundelkhand gneiss area. The Betwa flows through its western section.
In 1 7 13 Muhammad Diler Khan, an Afghan adventurer from Tirah, belonging to the Firoz Khel, seized Korwai and some of the sur- rounding villages. Later, in return for certain services, he obtained a grant of 31 parganas from the emperor. During the decline of the Mughal empire the State was equal in extent to Bhopal, if not larger ; but during the Maratha period it rapidly declined, although it has always remained independent, the assistance rendered by the chief to Colonel Goddard in 1778 especially marking it out as an object of Maratha persecution. In 181 8 the Nawab was hard pressed, and applied to the Political Agent at Bhopal for aid against Sindhia, which was granted. In 1820, after the establishment of British supremacy, the State was seized by Akbar Khan, an illegitimate son of the previous ruler. Iradat Muhammad Khan, the rightful heir, applied for assis- tance to the British Government ; but it was not considered advisable to disturb arrangements which existed previous to the establishment of our supremacy, and Iradat Khan received a pension on abandoning his claims. Muhammad Yakub All Khan succeeded in 1895, and died in 1906. He was succeeded by Sarwar All Khan, the present Nawab.
The population was : (1881) 24,631, (1891) 21,787, and (1901) 1 3^34) giving a density of 122 persons per square mile. The decrease of 37 per rent, during the last decade is due mainly to the famine of 1899-1900. Hindus number 11,285, or 83 per cent; and Musal- mans, 1,824. The State contains 85 villages. The Malwl dialect of Rajasthani is the prevailing form of speech. Agriculture supports 43 per cent, of the population, and general labour 9 per cent.
About 23 square miles, or 16 per cent, of the total area, are culti- vated, of which only 93 acres are irrigated ; 78 square miles are cultivable but uncultivated ; 1 1 square miles are forest ; and the rest is waste. Of the cropped area, jowar occupies 9 square miles, gram 6, wheat 2, and maize 456 acres. Two metalled roads in the State have been constructed by the British Government, one to Kethora and the other to Bamora stations on the Great Indian Peninsula Railway.
The chief exercises the powers of a magistrate of the first class, cases beyond his powers being tried by the Political Agent. The British Indian codes are used in the courts. The control of the finances is entirely in the hands of the Political Agent. The total revenue is Rs. 37,000, of which Rs. 23,000 is derived from land and Rs. 2,200 from customs. The incidence of the land revenue demand is Rs. 1-9 per acre of cultivated land.
The capital is Korwai, situated on the right bank of the Betwa. Population (1901), 2,256. A fort built of the gneiss rock which abounds in the neighbourhood stands on a small hill to the east of the town ; the houses are also for the most part built of this material and roofed with big slabs. Korwai contains a British post office and a hospital.
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
