Not a year had passed of Laxmibai’s marriage and Gangadhar Rao got the whole authority to rule the Jhansi state. People believed, it is only due to the arrival of Rani Laxmibai. Hence soon she became popular in Jhansi. People saw in her a new ray of hope.
The people were delighted on getting the whole power into the hands of Gangadhar Rao. The people of Jhansi celebrated this occasion with pomp and gaiety. The whole Jhansi was in festive mood. Many people were given gifts according to their rank and social status. A lot of money had been expended in religious ceremonies. A big function had been organised, in which many kings, sardars and reputed person of Bundelkhand came to congratulate Gangadhar Rao. Gangadhar Rao greeted them with a warm welcome.
For many years, the state management of Jhansi had been under the supervision of British. The main purpose of this empire was to save more and more money so that the burden of debt on Jhansi state can be removed fastly. It was least interested about the development of the state and its people. Hence, when Gangadhar Rao got the authority, he immediately reorganised the state management.
Under the reign of Raghunath Rao, the economic condition of the state was very miserable. His wicked actions is still had been suffered by the people and the state. At the time of transferring power to Gangadhar Rao, the British also left savings of Rupees thirty lac in government treasury. But seeing the amount required for reorganising the empire, it was too less. Hence, Gangadhar Rao had to do a lot of work in improving the economic condition and in maintaining peace in the state. And he started his efforts in achieving these motives.
In selecting the officers of different departments, he had shown a great intelligence and prudence. Able and experienced person were selected and appointed for a responsible jobs. Raghav Ramchander was made the chief court minister (Dewan). Old Nana Bhopatkar was given the law department. Thakurs and Bundel’s often create restlessness in the state. So to control them, Gangadhar Rao confederated a new Army. This army was composed of five thousand policemen, two thousand patrol police and a group of five hundred horses. Apart from this Gangadhar Rao had a separate special army. It had hundred horsemen and four ordnance. This army had been deputed in places where disturbance occurs. Due to these efforts, the whole state soon returned to normalcy. People considered themselves to be safe.
Gangadhar Rao was a very kind person. He cannot see anybody in trouble but was very strict regarding the official matters. All the officers of the state enjoy full freedom regarding their duties to be performed. If any officer commits negligence regarding his duties, he was punished severely. He liked the work to be finished regularly and timely. The criminals dare not have the courage to commit crime due to his influence. The cases of thefts had increased to its maximum; but now his arrangements were so excellent that people used to sleep after opening the doors of their houses. At every place, some people were made responsible for the safety. If a theft occurs anywhere, these people who were deployed and made responsible had to borne the losses. Occasionally it was also to be borne by government treasury. If any person had been caught red-handed while robbing, his hands were chopped. This was the reason Gangadhar Rao had developed terror amongst the criminals.
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