To Rule

"For nearly a century your State has been under our administration. Today it is handed over to you well organized and prosperous. Your education, your record as a soldier and the diligence with which you have studied to prepare yourself for the work of governing your State, fill me with confidence that you will think more of the duties and responsibilities of your office than of its privileges.

"The noble response of the people of your State to the call of arms during the War constitutes a claim to the best effort that you can put forward for the amelioration of their condition."

With these words the British Raj* turned over the State of Savantvadi-- small State south of Bombay on the west coast of India--to Bapusaheb Bhosie, Indian Prince educated in England, who henceforth becomes the Sardesai (Ruler) of Savantvadi.

*British rule or sovereignty, from the Hindu verb raj, to reign; cf. rajah, a prince.