Sarila
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.
Sarila
Petty sanad State in Central India, under the Bundel- khand Agency, with an area of about 33 square miles, and entirely surrounded by the Hamlrpur District of the United Provinces. The Sarlla holding was founded in 1765, when Aman Singh Bundela, a son of Pahar Singh and great-grandson of Maharaja Chhatarsal of Panna, obtained the jdgir. Tej Singh, who succeeded, was dis- possessed by AH Bahadur of Banda, but was restored to part of his land through the mediation of Himmat Bahadur. On the establish- ment of British supremacy, Tej Singh held nothing but the fort and village of Sarlla. In recognition of his influence in the neighbourhood and his profession of allegiance, he received a cash payment of Rs. 1,000 a month, until a suitable provision of land could be made. In 1807 a grant of eleven villages was made to him and the allowance stopped. The present Raja, Mahipal Singh, succeeded in 1898 as an infant, the State being under administration during his minority.
The population at the last three enumerations was (1881) 5,014, (1891) 5,622, and (1901) 6,298, giving a density of 191 persons per square mile. Hindus number 5,892, or 94 per cent, and Musal- rnans 406. The State contains ten villages. Of the total area, 14 square miles, or 42 per cent., are cultivated; 17 square miles, or 52 per cent., are cultivable; and the rest waste. The chief being a minor, the administration is conducted by his mother, assisted by a Mmdar* When not a minor the chief exercises limited powers. The revenue amounts to Rs. 59,000, of which Rs. 42,000, or 71 per cent., is derived from land. A metalled road is under con- struction, which will connect Saiila with Kalpl station on the Jhansi- Cawnpore section of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, a distance of nearly 30 miles. The State has been surveyed and settled on the methods followed in adjoining British territory. The chief town of Sank is situated in 25 46' N. and 79 42' E., and contains a jail, a hospital, and a school. Population (1901), 3,290.
