72 THE IMPERIAL DURBAR ALBUM.
been the case, managed by a Council of Regency under the control of the Political
Agent, Baghelkhand. Maharaja Raman Singh was created a G.C. S. I. in I897A.D. in
recognition of his famine policy at the time, which was characterised by judicious liberality and forethought.
The State of Rewa is rich in mineral products, of which the most important is coal from the Umaria mines, the mining rights over which were ceded to the Govern- ment of India in 1885 A.D. on the annual payment of a certain amount of royalty. The geology of Rewa is particularly interesting, as it contains type-areas of several important series within its limits, and almost every formation met within the State yields products of value. The forests of Rewa are very extensive and of considerable commercial value. Till 1875 A.D. no proper supervision was exercised over them, but since then a systematic management has been introduced, and certain tracts now carefully protected against the inroads of the jungle tribes, who practise the dahiya ( shifting ) cultivation in which trees are felled, burnt, and seed sown in their ashes.
The country possessed by the Chief of Rewa is covered with old remains,
almost every village having in it, or in its vicinity, signs of former habitation, but
these have not yet been fully examined, and is an open field for the archaeologist and antiquarian.
The State forces consist of 1,140 infantry, 574 cavalry, and 13 guns.
The area of the State is 3,778 square miles, containing four towns and 5,565 villages, having a population of 13,27,390 inhabitants. The total revenue of the State under all heads is Rs. 29,08,000.
His Highness Maharaja Sir Venkat Raman Singh Bahadur G. C.S.I, has first class powers including that of life and death over his subjects, and is entitled to a salute of 17 guns.
