At 11:08 AM 01-08-08 +0530, you wrote: >Hello All, > >Can anyone explain why the princely state of Baoni, MP with a small area of >313 sq kms area, no special pedigree in ancestry that we know of and no >particular affiliation to the brits, (absence of telltale signs such as >knighthoods or titles) should enjoy a privy purse of 520,000 with 11 guns? > >TO put this in perspective, this is the same privy purse accorded to Alwar, >with a far more ancient lineage, supposedly a descendant of Lord Ram, with >17 guns and an area almost 20 times that of Baoni. > >Clearly there has to be something to it. I can understand that the ruler may >have enjoyed a special relationship with the brits which was what got him >his 11 guns in the first place. But why would the Indian govt. give him such >a large privy purse? Which as I understand is calculated on 2-3 counts such >as size of state, revenue, lineage etc. > >Would be very grateful if anyone can throw some light on this. > >regards > >Arjun Nayar > Greetings, The privy Purse was solely related to the income of the Princely State, and was usually around 10% IIRC. The gun salute was determined by a number of factors which you have mentioned. The Nawabs of Baoni were agnatic relatives of the Nizam of Hyderabad, they seem to have been wealthy, (which for the British counted more than anything), and quite possibly the personal qualities of the rulers may also have been a factor. It does appear that none of them were granted a knighthood, so it does seem a trifle odd that they were so highly placed. It could also be that I have an extra nought or two in the Privy Purse :( Cheers, Henry