Savnur.
SAVNUR is a native State situated within the Dharwar District, Bombay Presidency. The reigning family are Musalmans of Pathan origin. The founder of the family, Abdul Rauf Khan, obtained in 1 680 A.D. from the Emperor Aurangzeb, the grant of a jahagir comprising Bankapur, Tordal, and Azamnagar or Belgaum, with a command of 7,000 horse. In 1730 A.D. the family, as deputies of the Nizam, received additional territory, which the Peshwa seized in 1747 A.D. In 1786 A.D., Tipu Sultan with whom the Nawab was connected by marriage, stripped him of much territory ; but the Nawab, allying himself with the Mahrattas, regained some part of it, and obtained from the Peshwa a pension of Rs. 10,000 a month. At the close of the last Mahratta war, the Nawab whose conduct had been exceptionally loyal was confirmed in his original possessions by the British Government, and received during his life'time an additional yearly grant of Rs. 6,000.
The State pays no tribute. The family holds a sanad authorising adoption, and the succession follows the rule of primogeniture.
The Collector of Dharwar is the Political Agent for the State; his senior Assistant being Assistant Political Agent. There are three criminal and two civil courts in the State and the Political Agent has the powers of Sessions and District Judge. The Nawab, when on the gadi, exercises full powers in civil and criminal matters. The State laws* are modelled on those of the British territory.
The State of Savnur has an estimated area of 70 square miles. It consists of about 25 villages with the town , of Savnur as its capital. The population of the State according to the census of 1911 A.D. is 17,908, which shows a considerable decrease in the number obtained at the census of 1901 A.D. The gross revenue of the State is Rs. 1,28,128. The present Nawab Abdul Majid Khan Diler Jung Bahadur is about nineteen years of age, and is serving with the Imperial cadet Corps at Dehra Dun.
