Cutting Off the Princes' Pay

WHEN India achieved independence from the British in 1947, there were 554 princely states, each ruled by a maharajah (Hindi for great ruler) or a lower-ranking rajah. While the peasants lived in abject poverty, the princes had grown rich on land taxes and the sale of mineral rights. They indulged in lavish whims--concubines, opulent palaces, bejeweled elephants, retinues of servants, strings of polo ponies, sumptuous celebrations. The Nizam of Hyderabad, who was the richest of all with wealth estimated at $2 billion, collected mountains of pearls. To celebrate his 39th birthday, the Gaekwar of Baroda was saluted by solid-gold cannons. Another rajah proudly tooled around in a gold-plated limousine.

Life changed drastically with India's independence. The princes were forced to surrender all but a fraction of their lands to the Indian government. In return, they were given an annual income, which ranged from as high as $345,000 to only $26.50 for one prince. Last year India paid nearly $6,000,000 to 279 surviving princes.

Last week the princes lost that income too. In response to protests by leftists, Communists and young Indian politicians, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi placed her government's support behind a historic bill that would eliminate the allowances. Conservative and right-wing supporters of the princes put up a struggle. But after an eight-hour debate, the bill was carried, 339 to 154.

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