THE GAIKAWAR AT HOME.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2025, 1 July 1875, Page 2

THE GAIKAWA R AT HOME.

M. Rousselot wisely determined to take his own time in'.his."travels,_.and no wonder, when he found himself installed 'as.the" favorite of so lavish, a sovereign, Thus he saw all the court.life of Baroda, The palace was thronged with buffoons and dancing girls, both of whom enjoyed a liberty allowed to no other subjects. The most exalted officials and ministers had to 'bear with the rudest practical jokes from the court fools, and the more humiliating they were, the more the Gaikawar was amused. As to the dancing girls, to make up for the enforced absence of the numerous women of the haram, they were present even at the Councils of State, and much to the detriment, one would suppose,

of business, they danced and played before . the Prince, who turned every now and then to chat familiarly with them. Besides enjoyments of this kindi the Gaikawar is passionately fond of soldiers, of hunting* and gladiatorial shows. His army, part of ; which was dry led and uniformed after,the European model, and officered by Englishmen, amounted 'in - all to about fifty thousand men. One regiment of Guards was dressed exactly like the' Scots Fusilier Guards, another, an artillery corps, rejoiced in silver cannons while a third was composed entirely of nobles in splendid costume. The uugurs, in whom the Gaikawar placed-greafc'faith, had day after day given their verdicts - against the good luck of the chase, and the bad weather supported them, so it was. the end of July before-a-great hunting party, could be organised. A whole month was spent in the chase, the Prince being accompanied by a complete army of attendants of every kind. A legs legiti- ' mate amusement were the games of the amphitheatre. The single combats between men whose fists were covered with sharp spikes,' and which only ended ~with 4Jttfl) death of one or both the combatants, vHk been forbidden. But the Gaikawar kept, large bodies of pugilists, and athletes* not to speak of torreadors," if wo may so call the fighters of wild beasts, elephants, tigers, wild beasts,, to offer. exciting but revoting shows. Like a Veil known emperor, he boasted of his own skill as an athlete, ■ and every morning after his bath he tried his skill ai a muscular pagan with one of his professionals. ' An English gentleman could not attend more carefull/ to his study than this Prince did to the train ng and feeding of this regiment of wrestlers. - No pleasure was dearer to him than to make two of these black Herculei almost mad with liquor, and then with. knuckle-dusters of horns upon their fists, hurl oneagainst the other. ;,Not: eren an English prize-ring could present t i| more -/ disgusting sight, and M. Kousselet tell*a * story which is simply a reproduction ofj the worst features of.- the old Bognanit' games. of the combatants" h*y shown the white feather, and .tried, to fly from bis assailant; the* other followed and v threw him, and both together soon on the sand, rolling, at the feet of Khiindi Bio. When the weaker cried for mercy, the victor turned to the Prince to know his will. " Strike, strike," wag the answer, and before, long the head of the poor man .was one mass of wounds and bruises,'and he was quite insensible when heY wa» re- ?, moved. The victors received 4hat rery day jewels and money to the amount of more than £400.—Month. •