Rai Pannalal Mehta


Mewar Vibhuti, Pradhan Rai Pannalal Mehta served four Maharanas, as Prime Minister of Mewar state in former state of Rajputana in India.
Rai Pannalal Mehta carried out the duties of Munshi Mahakma Khas from 1869 to 1878 AD. De facto he was carrying out the duties of Pradhan, as most of the time the post of Pradhan was either not filled or their powers were diluted. In 1878, he was formally appointed as Pradhan. In 1894, on the advice of Agent to the Governor General, Col GH Trevor, Pannalal proceeded on long leave and whilst on a pilgrimage, he resigned.
During his tenure as Pradhan, Rai Pannalal Mehta was instrumental in conceiving and promoting various reforms and public interest projects:
  • The Separation of judiciary from executive and the publication of the first regular Gazette cum Journal.
  • Land and fiscal reforms and introduction of financial budget.
  • In 1885, Lord Dufferin, then Viceroy of India, laid foundation for New Walter Zanana Hospital
  • In 1889, Prince Albert Victor, inaugurated the marble statue of his grandmother Empress Victoria in Gulab Bagh.
  • In 1889, Lord Lansdowne, then Viceroy of India, inaugurated public library in Gulab Bagh, Udaipur.
  • In 1889, Duke and Duchess of Connaught, laid foundation of Connaught Dam.
  • In 1889, Marwar-Mewar railway line project completed.
  • In 1889, amicably resolved century-old border dispute between Marwar and Mewar at Pagliya-ki-Naal, directly with Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur, Marwar.
  • In 1891, proposed construction of railways line to connect Udaipur with Chittor, but it was stalled by vested interests.

Upbringing

Rai Pannalal Mehta was born in 1843 AD at Udaipur to Murlidhar Mehta, a trusted emissary of Maharana Swarup Singh. Rai Pannalal Mehta writes in his autobiography, ‘Swa-jeevni’,
This impressed Maharana Swarup Singh and he started keeping watch on Pannalal. During 1857 revolution English ladies were put up in Jag Mandir, an island garden palace in Lake Pichola at Udaipur for safety. The young Pannalal was sent there to take care of hospitality, as he knew English fluently. Later in 1857, Pannalal was married at the age of 14 years to the daughter of Chaganlal Kothari, younger brother of Kesri Singh Kothari, who also held post of Pradhan for short duration and interim periods.

Administrative career

Young Pannalal started his administrative career in 1860 at Nimbahera, at Rupees 25/- per month. He assisted his uncle and former Pradhan of Mewar and then Hakim at Nimbahera, Sher Singh Mehta. During a short apprenticeship at Nimbahera, his administrative acumen and negotiation skills were noticed by Maharana Swarup Singh. He was asked to report to political officer's office at Choti Sadri and then to Udaipur in 'Dewani Office'.
On 23 December 1869, the Maharana announced establishment of a new executive council called ‘Mahakma Khas’ and appointed Pannalal Mehta as its Munshi . Subsequently, various important administrative reforms in the Mewar State, such as land reforms, revenue settlement, sati-pratha, salt trade agreement, reconstitution of state council, etc., were carried out under the guidance and leadership of Pannalal, who was de facto Pradhan of the state.
Eminent historian RK Gupta obverses in his book Studies in Indian History: Rajasthan Through the Ages,

Awards and honours

The British Government held an Imperial Durbar at Delhi on 1 January 1877, to proclaim the assumption of the title of ‘Empress of India’. Pannalal Mehta and Kothari Chaganlal received the titles of ‘Rai’. The title of His Excellency, the courtesy title as Prime Minister of the state of Mewar, was extended only to Rai Pannalal Mehta. Rao Bhakhta Singh of Bedla was awarded the title of ‘Rao Bahadur’.
In 1887, the fifty-year golden jubilee of the reign of Queen Victoria was celebrated throughout the British Empire. Maharana Fateh Singh was awarded the title of GCSI and his Prime Minister Rai Pannalal Mehta was awarded the title of CIE.

Golden period of Mewar history: reforms and projects

The Separation of judiciary from executive and publication of the first regular Gazette cum Journal are two illustrations of the pioneering efforts of Rai Pannalal Mehta. As a principal advisor to Maharanas, Shambhu Singh and Sajjan Singh, he could achieve all this by the tactful way in which he handled his triangular duties – loyalty to the Maharanas, coordination with the British political department and bringing about the good of the people of the state which was dearest to his heart.
Maharana Shambhu Singh, on advice of Rai Pannalal Mehta, decided to take measures to make regular settlement of the land revenue in the Khalsa. Maharana was embroiled not only in administrative problems, but also disputes and insubordination from his close relatives and nobles. Therefore, Pannalal concentrated on reorganisation and fiscal reforms in the administration and to bring together all stakeholders on board for smooth running of the affairs of the state. Under able guidance of Pannalal, Maharana Sajjan Singh could win back the trust of his kin and nobles and the public at large. Among the major administrative reforms, was making financial budget for various expenditures and revenues. Pannalal took steps that introduced Mewar to modernity. He widened roads and built new ones. He ordered the reforestation of the surrounding hills, laid new water pipelines and repaired existing water tanks.
Pannalal modernised the police force and established settlement department, which recorded correct boundaries for agricultural fields and villages. Mewer's judicial system was also upgraded. Maharana Sajjan Singh inaugurated a separate civil court and a criminal court where a committee, like the modern jury system, made the decisions. Mahadraj Sabha, like a High Court was also established, along with new government departments. He also established an Education Committee and set up first government printing press in the state.
This is also known as the 'golden period' in the history of Mewar. Mehta Pannalal writes in his book Swa-Jeewani,
Laxmilal was the younger brother of Pannalal.
During the reign of Maharana Fateh Singh, Pannalal was instrumental in conceiving and promoting various public interest projects. On the recommendations of Pannalal, it was also decided to raise the paal of Devali-ka-Talaab by 20 feet. The foundation stone was laid by Duke of Connaught in 1889. The paal was christened as ‘Connaught Bandh’ and lake was renamed as ‘Fateh Sagar’. Later a canal connecting Swarup Sagar with Fateh Sagar, suggested by Pannalal and named Thompson canal, after Mr Thompson, the engineer behind the project was constructed. Similarly, the projects for setting up of Zanana Hospital, in 1885, at Moti Chohatta and Sarasvati Sarvajanik Pustkalay, in 1889 at Gulab Bagh were completed. The project of Marwar-Mewar railway line were conceived in 1885 and completed in 1889 by Pannalal. The century-old border dispute between Marwar and Mewar about Pagaliyon-ki-Naal was tactfully resolved directly by Pradhan Rai Pannalal Mehta with Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur in 1891. However, in 1891, proposal for construction of railway line to connect Udaipur with Chittor by Pannalal was stalled by vested interests and his detractors.

Conspiracy and displeasure

Since the welfare and well being of Mewar state was always foremost with Rai Pannalal Mehta, certain Sirdars & Umraos were envious of his growing popularity and began to conspire against him. He faced court displeasure, attack on his life and exile from the state. However, each time he returned more determined and powerful.
Eminent historian BK Gupta writes in his book, ‘Studies in Indian History: Rajasthan Through the Ages’,
BK Gupta continues,
Earlier, on the suspicion of poisoning Maharana Shambhu Singh, Pannalal was dismissed as Secretary. He was at once arrested and imprisoned on 9 September 1874 and kept in Karan Vilas Palace. The security guards were also placed at his residence and those of his brother Takhat Singh Mehta and few others. A few days before his arrest, Gopal Singh Mehta had sent a message to Pannalal that he is likely to be arrested soon and he should escape incognito. But Mehta Pannalal replied,
His detractors continued to invent other charges, such as corruption but failed. However, Pannalal continued to remain in custody. Lt Col Wright, the Political Agent at Udaipur counseled the Maharana not to punish Pannalal and others until an open and fair trial had been held.

Attempt on life and exile

Maharana Shambhu Singh could not recover from his illness and breathed his last on 7 October 1874. Maharana was only 27 years old when he died. Rai Pannalal Mehta, who was under close custody, requested permission to accompany the funeral procession of late Maharana Shambhu Singh. His request was granted with two security guards attending on him. At Mahasatyaji, he sat under a tree to take some rest. He was brutally attacked thrice with sword by unknown persons, believed to be at the instigation of his detractors. He received two wounds on the head and one on the shoulder. Because of headgear his life was saved.
Later, under Maharana Sajjan Singh, Pannalal was called by Political Agent Lt Col Wright and told, “The Charges against you have been dismissed, except for corruption Charge.” Though Pannalal vehemently denied the corruption charge but Agent said that since he has large number of detractors in the state, it would be advisable for him to leave Mewar for some time. Pannalal left for Ajmer in October 1874. In view of safety, Political Agent, Lt Col Wright provided five riders from Ashind and Shahpura villages, to accompany the carriage of Pannalal to Ajmer.
Shahiwal Arjun Singh, was appointed as Secretary to Mahakma Khas in place of Pannalal. He could not fit himself in the new system of work and atmosphere dominated by the Political Agent, so he resigned after a few months from Mahakma Khas in 1875. Kothari Chaganlal who was working as the head of Finance department was appointed as the Secretary in place of Sahiwal and he too could not work satisfactorily. After about eight months in 1875, new Political Agent Col Herbert wrote to Pannalal Mehta, then at Ajmer,
Maharana Sajjan Singh directed that Pannalal be sent to take charge of Mahakma Khas and was re-appointed on 8 September 1875 as Munshi ''to Mahakma Kha''s. Although he was not designated as Prime Minister, but he has been referred to as Pradhan both orally and in letters. He was also restored with jagir and other allowances.

Appointed as Pradhan

In 1878, Rai Pannalal Mehta was formally appointed as Pradhan of Mewar upon demise of Pradhan Gokal Chand Mehta. Although, Gokal Chand was Pradhan but de facto Pannalal was running the affairs of the state as Munshi to Mahakma Khas.

City Clock Tower – symbol of communal harmony

In 1887, there was a street fight with bricks and batons between Mahajans and Bohras, over taking a male goat through Maldas street at Udaipur for sacrifice during holy festive month. The proactive Pradhan, Rai Pannalal Mehta immediately summoned a company of military to control the people of two communities. The prompt action of Pradhan to contain the riot was well appreciated by both Maharana and the Resident. The British Resident conducted the enquiry and fined Rupees 5000 to each community. Upon which Pannalal proposed to Maharana Fateh Singh,
The fine so collected was also added towards grant from Durbar. The Clock Tower was constructed under the supervision of Pradhan Rai Pannalal Mehta. It stands tall even today, with the same Kotwali in the background.

Charismatic personality

Raja Ravi Varma, a celebrated Indian painter and artist, closely related to the royal family of Travancore, visited Udaipur at the invitation of Maharana Fateh Singh, from Saturday 6 April 1901 onward to commission his portrait. Varma writes in his autobiography ‘Raja Ravi Varma: Portrait of an Artist’
"We met Fatehlal Mehta, a noble of Mewar state, with whom we had a long correspondence on the subject of their visit, at the Public Gardens. Mr Fatehlal Mehta had returned only the day before from the pilgrimage. He is the son of Rai Pannalal Mehta, CIE and former Dewan of Udaipur….”
Raja Ravi Varma liked the charismatic and photogenic face of Pannalal so much, that they requested Fatehlal to ask his father to sit for a photo session. They then completed his portrait at Travancore. Varma writes in his book.
"Rai Pannalal Mehta, our friend’s father, sat to us this evening for his portrait which we intend finishing at home, as our departure is approaching. His features are very regular and his complexion is fair. He has a dignified and noble air. He was Dewan of the state for nearly thirty years and had during his administration introduced many reforms of improvement.”
Capt Pitney, then a British Resident in India once described Pannalal Mehta as,
“I have met royal persons and dignitaries in my life and sometimes been disappointed but one person I shall never forget is Rai Pannalal Mehta, former Pradhan of Mewar. I saw him first when he called on me in plain and spotless white with his uncurled white Rajput beard framing the face like smoothly wrinkled parchment. He moved with such dignity that in slightness of his figure seemed of no account but his gaze defied flattery and deceit. Though he spoke softly, every syllable could be heard in rush, which his calm presence created. I thought of myself that if that was the result of over five hundred years of breeding and generations of Mehtas, there was clearly something to be said for preserving such qualities for the further well-being of this clan”.
Rai Pannalal Mehta passed away at Udaipur in December 1919. He was cremated with full state honours at Mahasatiyaji in Oswal nobles’ cremation area. A cenotaph in the memory of Pradhan Rai Pannalal Mehta was constructed by his son Mehta Fatehlal in 1920. At the time of his death he was survived by his son Fatehlal, grandsons Devilal and Udailal, who all distinguished as able high-profile administrators in the state of Mewar. Pannalal’s younger brother Laxmilal predeceased him in 1906 and youngest brother Takhat Singh passed away in 1924. Pannalal was the last Pradhan of Mewar state and also from Bachhawat clan, who held this exalted position in the reign of four successive Maharanas, starting with Swarup Singh, Shambhu Singh, Sajjan Singh and ending with Fateh Singh.
Pannalal maintained a diary along with important correspondence and documents in his life time but he formally commenced collating and writing his memoirs in 1916. Later in 1960s his great grandson Mehta Gokal Lal, IAS, collated all the information to publish a biographical book, ‘Swa-Jeewni – Rai Pannalal Mehta, CIE, Amatya of Mewar State’.