Corrupt and Immoral Administration of Baldock in Garhwal
History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -1
History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -837
By: Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)
Kumaunis and Garhwalis did not get real relief after Nepalese rule was over.
In the absence of Frazer, Major Baldock was the real British Administrator of Garhwal and Kumaon. In south –Pilibhit, Moradabad, Bijnor, Dehradun and west of Kumaon and Garhwal, there was British rule. In Raigarh, Sirmour and Sabathu of Himachal, there ware British battalions. In north, in Hun region, the ruler was under hibernation. Therefore, there was no fear of attack on Kumaon and Garhwal from enemies.
Garhwali people were already in depressed positions due to cruel Gorkha Rule. It was slight relief for the people under British rule. The people of Garhwal were feeling obliged by the help of British.
Major Baldock was in Shrinagar. The document state that there was Tree less region around Shrinagar at that period (Dabral). However, dense forests were there from upper hills to Khhirsu. There are four drawings by Maularam and his poems (found in collection of Baijram the great grandson of Maularam) show that British officers used to enjoy through hunting and by local workers.
Before, Kumaon –Garhwal campaign, British high command instructed the British officers that Hill people believe in caw as goddess and mother. Therefore, officers were instructed not to kill caws for meal.
Maularm illustrated through his poetry the Baldock killed caws in Shrinagar. The British officers used to go on the hills or cave near River bank and used to entertain. Due to British officers roaming on hills and forests, it became difficult for women visiting forests for fodder and wood and visiting was difficult for fetching water at water sources. .
The British Army soldier Sitaram who witnessed Khalanga battle states,” Most of British born officers live with their Indian keeps. Usually Indian soldiers offer their female relative to English officers for making Keeps. Maularam criticized very badly the English officers for their bad acts about consuming Indian women.
European officers in Shrinagar used to call prostitutes and dance with them. Many people used to send prostitutes to English officers for getting their job done from English officials. Those who could not offer prostitutes to English officers did not get favor from English officers. Suddenly, the importance of prostitutes and their agents increased high.
Nand Ram Saklani (nephew of Shivram Saklani) was the main gatekeeper of Baldock. Nobody could enter into Bungalow without the permission of Nand Ram Saklani. Nand Ram pleased Baldock so much that later on Nadram became Tahsildar of Dehradun.
(Reference - Maularam, Sitaram , Maheshwar Dayal)
Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com 30/6/2016
History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -838
*** History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun, (Pauri , Rudraprayag, and Chamoli) Garhwal (1815-1947) to be continued in next chapter
(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)
XX Reference
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XXX
History of British Rule, Administration, Policies over Garhwal, Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies over Pauri Garhwal, Udham Singh Nagar Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies over Chamoli Garhwal, Nainital Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies over Rudraprayag Garhwal, Almora Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies over Dehradun , Champawat Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies, Bageshwar Kumaon, Uttarakhand;
History of British Rule, Administration, Policies over Haridwar, Pithoragarh Kumaon, Uttarakhand;
