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 [‎16v] (22/44)

[ 12 ]
pass or stamp. If any one be detected in carrying opium clandestinely, the same will
be seized, and the matter be reported to Government. W liatever arrangements will be
suggested by Government regarding opium, the same will be adopted by me, but measures
should be taken to enable the traders to import opium without any inconvenience."
With respect to Barriah, the Resident at Baroda states (letter dated the 24th October
1846) that it is believed the restrictive system was introduced under an agreement entered
into with the Political Authority in Malwa, which, however, is not now to be found in the
records of the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. . This is confirmed by the present Raja King , who states (see Mr. Stewart's
letter, dated the 7th November 1845, reporting the seizure of opium effected at Doodne) tliat,^
smuggled opium is seized, one-third being paid to the informer. 1 his.petty State was many
years ago under my political charge, and I recollect very well that at that time the agree
ment was enforced, and seizures frequently made.
It was introduced into the petty State of Chota Oodeepore, under an agreement entered
into through my mediation, dated Kartik Shood the 7th, Sumvut 1879, ( a. d . 21st November
1822,) by which the Chief bound himself (see Mr. Stewart's letter, dated the 9th December
lS4o, reporting a seizure of opium effected at Chota Oodeepore) to prevent opium unprotected
by a pass or stamp being clandestinely conveyed through his talooka, to seize and report
to Government all opium so discovered, and to attend to whatever orders Government might
issue on the subject of opium generally. The Raja King states that all his officers of customs
(Nackadars) have orders to the above effect, but that no attempts at smuggling have re
cently been attempted. It will, however, be in the Board's recollection, that tlie present
discussion originated in a seizure of a maund of opium imported into this talooka by a
trader from Rutlam, and which was duly reported by the Raja King to the Resident at Baroda.
(Letter from the Resident at Baroda, dated the 16th November 1846.)
An exactly similar engagement was likewise entered into through my mediation by the
Rajpeempla State. It bears date the 9th Kartik Wud, Sumvut 1880, ( a. d . 12th November
1823,) and the Raja King represents (letter dated the 24th October 1840) that opium is not
imported in any large quantities into his districts, but that what is required for internal
consumption is obtained from the neighbouring Guicowar's districts of Sinnore and Padea.
The restrictive system was also introduced into the following petty States in Guzerat : —
Balasinore. —By an agreement dated in August 1820, (letter from the Collector of Kaira,
dated the 29th August 1820,) the Chief of that plac^ 1 agreed to regulate the opium trade
in his district according to the provisions of Regulations I. of 1818 and II. of 1820 ; to
permit the Officers of the Honorable Company to seize opium otherwise imported ; to obtain
the supply required for internal consumption from the Government depot, and to retail it
according to the rules in force in the Company's districts.
Dhurruiiipore and Peinth. —The Chiefs of these places agreed to the restrictive system in
November 1820, (letters from the Chiefs, dated the 29th November and 4th December
1820,) and their acquiescence was of the more importance from their territory being in the
immediate vicinity of the settlement of Damaun, for many years the grand entrepot of the
illicit trade in opium.
Bhownuggur in Kattiawar was included in the arrangements made in that province gene
rally; but in 1820, I find that the Thakoor specially prohibited the import of opium into
his territory, except under license, and directed all opium not so imported to be seized.
(Letter from the Collector of Ahmedabad, dated the 21st August 1820.)
27. Hence it appears that our restrictive system was adopted by every foreign State in
Guzerat, Kattiawar, and Cutch. It was also introduced into the territory of the Sattara State in
July 1820. A seizure of opium having been effected in that territory, the Resident was directed
to suggest to His Highness the Raja King the propriety of issuing a proclamation prohibiting the
transit of opium through his territory, under the penalties in force in the Company's districts,
except on payment of Rs. 12 per Surat seer. The rewards specified in Regulations I. of
1818 and 11. of 1820 were to be held out to informers, and all opium seized was to be