• Here are five major achievements of the Mewar State covering social, fiscal and administrative reforms and infrastructure areas.  

1. First state in India to issue proclamation regarding the prohibition of Sati Pratha.

On 26/4/1862, during the reign of Maharana Shambhu Singh (1861-74), on the suggestion and with the efforts of Pradhan Gokal Chand Mehta, the Council of Regency issued a proclamation regarding the prohibition of Sati. It said,

“Be it known to all Chiefs, Sirdars, Jagirdars, the Ministers of the crown, Bhumias, Patels, Patwaris and whole population that a proclamation for prohibition of Sati was twice issued by the late Maharana Swarup Singh, but the practice has not been arrested. Now for the third time orders are issued to the effect that whenever any person is found ready or desirous to sacrifice herself, the Chief of the village or his agent will be responsible to prevent the consummation of the crime, exercising his proper authority. He who neglects his responsibility will be fined and imprisoned.”

2. First state in India to have settlement of land revenue

Maharana Shambhu Singh (1861-1874), in consultation with Pradhan Pannalal Mehta, decided to take measures to make regular settlement of the land revenue in the Khalsa (State owned land). The cultivated area of the villages was roughly measured and the soil classified in accordance with the current usage of the people. The scheme was opposed, and attempts were made to sabotage it by the State officials and other exploiting class of the land.  

3. First state in India to introduce fiscal, administrative and environmental reforms

During the reign of Maharana Sajjan Singh (1874-84), Pradhan Pannalal Mehta 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. Pradhan P Mehta took steps that introduced Mewar to modernity.

a. Among the major administrative reforms was making a financial budget for various expenditures and revenues.

b. He widened roads and built new ones.

c. He ordered the reforestation of the surrounding hills,

d. Laid new water pipelines and repaired existing water tanks.

e. He modernised the police force and established settlement departments, which recorded correct boundaries for agricultural fields and villages.

f. Mewar's judicial system was also upgraded. It meant that separate civil and criminal courts where a committee, similar to the modern jury system, made decisions. 

g. Mahadraj sabha, as Appeals Court was also established, along with new government departments. 

h. He also established an Education Committee.

i. First government press in Rajputana was set up.

4. City Clock Tower – Symbol of Communal Harmony Built 

In 1887, during the reign of Maharana Fateh Singh (1884-1930) there was a street fight, with bricks and batons, between Mahajans (a Hindu trader sect) and Bohras (a Muslim trader sect), on taking a male goat through Maldas Street for sacrifice during holy month of Paryushan (Jain festival). Pradhan Mehta Rai Pannalal 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 British Resident. The British Resident conducted the enquiry and fined each community Rupees 5000.

Pradhan Mehta Rai Pannalal proposed to Maharana Fateh Singh, “Hazur, there is no Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) in the city, hence it is proposed to build a clock tower in front of city Kotwali (police station), to symbolise the harmony between Mahajans and Bohras”. The fine so collected was supplemented with a grant from Durbar. The Clock Tower was constructed under the supervision of Mehta Rai Pannalal. It stands tall even today, as a symbol of communal harmony, with the same Kotwali (police station) in the background.

5. Major infrastructure projects to improve health, education and irrigation in the state

During the reign of Maharana Fateh Singh (1884-1930), Pradhan Mehta Rai Pannalal played host to number of English dignitaries visiting Udaipur and was instrumental in promoting various public interest infrastructure projects, such as:

a. In 1885, Lord Dufferin, then Viceroy, laid foundation for New Walter Zanana Hospital (now Ayurvedic Hospital at Moti Chohatta).

b. In 1889, Lord Lansdowne, then Viceroy, inaugurated public library (now Sarasvati Sarvajanik Pustakalya) in Gulab Bagh.

c. In 1889, Duke and Duchess of Connaught, laid foundation of Connaught Dam (now called Fateh Sagar Paal). On the recommendations of Pradhan Mehta Rai Pannalal, it was also decided to raise the paal (dam) of Devali-ka-Talaab by 20 feet. The foundation stone was laid by Duke of Connaught. The paal was christened as ‘Connaught Bandh’ and lake was renamed as ‘Fateh Sagar’. The canal connecting Pichola with Fateh Sagar was also suggested by Engineer Thomson, which became a reality once the height of paal was raised by 20 feet.

d. In 1889, the work on Marwar Junction – Udaipur railway line was completed. 

e. In 1899, the work on Udaipur – Chittorgarh railway line was completed

References

1. Rajputana Chronicles: Guns and Glories by Pratap Singh Mehta. Buy Online 
2. Rajputana Chronicles: Parakram aur Parampara (Hindi) by Pratap Singh Mehta. Buy Online  
3. Swa-Jeewni (Autobiography)-Rai Pannalal Mehta, CEI, Diwan / Pradhan / Amatya of Mewar State. Published at the at the behest of Gokul Lal Mehta, Retd, IAS / Editors: Dr PD Pathak; Onkar Lal Menaria / Rajasthan Puratan Granthmala, Jodhpur in 1989.  
4. Studies In Indian History: Rajasthan Through the Ages the Heritage of Rajputs / R.K. Gupta & S.R. Bakshi / Sarup & Sons, 2008 / Shows result in 54 pages
5. Veer Vinod, Part II / Kavi Shyamal Das