DEATH IN EXILE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 158, 5 June 1937, Page 3

DEATH IN EXILE.

INDIAN MAHARAJAH’S FATE. Claiming descent from the god Rama, the Maharajah of Ahvar, who has died in Paris, was called by some “the wickedest man alive.” Inheriting the throne of Alwar, with 750,000 inhabitants, a.t the age of 10, lie retained it for 40 years, but in 1933, after a revolt of his peasants, he was exiled, and a British official took over the administration. The Maharajah was in the news a few months ago. when he detained a train at Venice while the leather cushions of the carriage were ripped out and replaced with material not objectionable to the orthodox Hindu. Ho was so careful about leather front the sacred cow that Europeans employed by him were not allowed to use leather buttons on their suits. The Maharajah, wdio had been a great athlete, a brilliant polo player, and a fine shot, died as a result of tripping and falling down the steps of a tennis court in Paris. To British politicians, officials and other guests lie was always a. charming and courteous host, although lie always wore silk gloves when shaking hands with Europeans, but to his subjects he was a brutal and oppressive ruler, described as a demon of cruelty and avarice.

Although he had a normal revenue of £285,000, lie was continually seeking to extort more, until liis subjects rose against him. Tt is reported that lie once complained to some courtiers that (bey were growing too fat. They were confined without food in one of his 17 palaces until he thought them slim enough. There is a story that, when a polo pony threw him, lie had it so.aked in petrol and burned alive. There are strange rumours about the deatli ot some of his wives, yet his favourite wife went into exile and remained with liim until the end.