P. But Garha
is a petty state, formerly included in the Raghugarh State. The town
of Garha is on the eastern slope of the Malwa plateau in 25 deg. 2' N.
and 78 deg. 3' E. (_I.G._, 1908, s.v.).
11. On the coronation or installation of every new prince of the
house of Sindhia, orders are given to plunder a few shops in the town
as a part of the ceremony, and this they call or consider 'taking the
auspices'. Compensation is _supposed_ to be made to the proprietors,
but rarely is made. I believe the same auspices are taken at the
installation of a new prince of every other Maratha house. The Moghal
invaders of India were, in the same manner, obliged to allow their
armies to _take the auspices_ in the sack of a few towns, though they
had surrendered without resistance. They were given up to pillage as
a _religions duty_. Even the accomplished Babar was obliged to
concede this privilege to his army. [W. H. S.]
In reply to the editor's inquiries, Colonel Biddulph, officiating
Resident at Gwalior, has kindly communicated the following
information on the subject of the above note, in a letter dated 30th
December, 1892.
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