List of chief commissioners of Ajmer-Merwara facts for kids
Ajmer-Merwara was a small province in British India, which is now part of the state of Rajasthan in India. For many years, it was governed by special officials called Chief Commissioners. These commissioners were like the main leaders or governors of the province, chosen by the British government to manage the area. They were responsible for everything from keeping peace to collecting taxes and overseeing development.
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Understanding Chief Commissioners
A Chief Commissioner was a very important person during the time of British rule in India. They were high-ranking officials who were put in charge of certain areas or provinces that were directly controlled by the British government. Think of them as the main boss for that region.
What Did a Chief Commissioner Do?
The job of a Chief Commissioner was to make sure the province ran smoothly. This included many tasks, such as:
- Keeping law and order.
- Managing the local government.
- Collecting taxes from the people.
- Overseeing public works, like building roads or schools.
- Making sure British rules and policies were followed.
They had a lot of power and responsibility, acting as the direct representatives of the British government in their assigned province.
Ajmer-Merwara: A Unique Province
Ajmer-Merwara was a unique province because it was a small area directly administered by the British, unlike many larger regions that were ruled by local princes under British supervision. It was located in the heart of Rajputana, a region known for its many princely states.
The British took direct control of Ajmer-Merwara for strategic reasons. It was an important administrative and military center. Because it was directly controlled, it needed a dedicated leader, which is why the role of Chief Commissioner was created for this province.
Leaders of Ajmer-Merwara
Over the years, many different people served as the Chief Commissioner of Ajmer-Merwara. Each of them played a role in shaping the province during their time in office. Here is a list of the Chief Commissioners who governed Ajmer-Merwara:
- 1871–1873: Richard Harte Keatinge
- 1873–1878: Sir Lewis Pelly
- 1878–1887: Edward Ridley Colborne Bradford
- 1887–1890: Charles Kenneth Mackenzie Walter
- 1890–1895: George Herbert Trevor
- 1895–1898: Robert Joseph Crosthwaite
- 1898–1905: Arthur Henry Temple Martindale
- 1905–1918: Elliot Graham Colvin
- 1918–1919: John Manners Smith
- 1919–1925: Robert Erskine Holland
- 1925–1927: Stewart Blakeley Agnew Patterson
- 1927–1932: Leonard William Reynolds
- 1932–1937: George Drummond Ogilvie
- 1937–1942: Arthur Cunningham Lothian
- 1944–1947: Hiranand Rupchand Shivdasani
The End of an Era
The role of Chief Commissioner for Ajmer-Merwara came to an end in 1947. This was the year India gained its independence from British rule. After independence, Ajmer-Merwara became a separate state within India for a short time. Later, in 1956, it was merged into the larger state of Rajasthan, becoming a district within it. The system of Chief Commissioners was replaced by new forms of governance in independent India.
