Circular N. 4142 of the Territorial Department Revenue from the Officiating Secretary to the Government at Bombay Castle, Charles Edward Fraser Tytler, to the Resident in the Persian Gulf [‎15r] (19/44)

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tlie districts."' In August 1820, the Resident at Baroda was informed, (letter to the Resi
dent, dated the 16th August 1S20,) that as a relaxation from Regulations I. of 1818 and 11.
of 1820 had led to the illicit export of opium, Government had resolved strictly to enforce
them, and to furnish to the several Collectors the supply of opium required for internal
consumption, for the purpose of being retailed by licensed venders. He was therefore
directed to obtain the Guicowar's consent to the introduction of this plan into his territory;
the opium required for the internal consumption of which should be furnished on indent
forwarded through the Resident to the Collector of Kaira, on payment of the cost price
in Malwa, and afterwards retailed at such rates as would check the inordinate use of the
drug, and yet, besides yielding a profit to the retailer, be within the reach of those addicted
to opium, and at the same time yield a revenue to the State. The Guicowar without
demur signified his assent to the wishes of Government, (letter from the Resident at
Baroda, dated the 29th September 1820,) but under certain stipulations, which were con
curred in by Government on the 17th October 1820. I annex copy of this document to
my minute. In the following year a circular (dated 4th September 1821) was issued, en
joining the officers of Government to be vigilant in enforcing Regulations I. of 1818 and II.
of 1820, with the view of checking the illicit trade in opium, and in order that all opium
seized and all persons concerned in the illicit trade might be dealt with according to those
Regulations. A similar notice was promulgated (letter from the Resident at Baroda, dated
the 3rd October 1821) throughout his districts by His Highness the Guicowar. I am thus
particular in establishing the fact that the restrictive system was introduced into the Guico
war territory, because I shall in a subsequent part of my minute have to show that of late
years it has from some unexplained cause been discontinued.
It was likewise introduced into Cutch, into Kattiawar, the Mahee Kaunta; the petty
States on the north-west frontier Region of British India bordering Afghanistan. of Guzerat, including Pahlunpoor, in the Rewa Kaunta;
the petty states of Balasinore, Chota Oodeepore, Barriah, and Rajpeempla; Cambay and
Dh urumpore. In fact, it was introduced everywhere, except at the Portuguese settlements
of Dieu and Damaun, where our control did not extend.
Catch, —In 1819 our Resident, the late Captain MacMurdo, reported (letter dated the
23rd December 1819) that " if it is any object to our interests, he was desired by the Cutch
Government to state their readiness to prohibit in the strictest manner all exportation of
opium from that province. "This «ffer was accepted, (Mr. Secretary Parish's letter, dated
the 17th January 1820,) with a suggestion that the transit of opium should be altogether
prohibited in Cutch, the British Government undertaking to supply annually the quantity
required for internal consumption. The Government of Cutch consented, (letter from the
Resident, dated the 14th Pebruary 1820,) and issued a proclamation prohibiting the export
of opium, either by sea or by land, and a penalty of confiscation and heavy fines. They, how
ever, requested that their merchants might still be allowed to import the quantity required
for internal consumption, which, according to estimate, was 350 maunds annually. They
were, however, informed (Government letter, dated the 14th March 1820) in reply, that
" when the arrangements in progress for establishing a monopoly in this Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. were
completed, a supply of opium would be sent for the internal consumption of Cutch." Short
ly aftewards, the Resident was directed to obtain the assent of the Government of Cutch
to the introduction ol the provisions of Regulation II. of 1820 into that province.
Kattiawar. —I have already alluded (paragraph 20) to the discovery in 1820 of an exten
sive illicit trade being carried on in this province. In consequence, the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. was
directed (resolution of Government, dated the 29th May 1820) to require the Chiefs of
Kattiawar, and more especially the Jam of Nowanuggur, to empower him to extend Regu
lation I. of 1818 and II. of 1820, and to seize all opium passing through their territories.
A depot was about the same time established at Rajkote for supplying the internal consump
tion of the province. This in 1829 was estimated at 480 maunds, ( Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. 's letter,
dated the 22nd June 184C,) and in that year a statement was framed, apportioning this
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