SIN'DIA. The name of a powerful Mahratta house, which played an important part in the history of India during the eighteenth and nine teenth centuries. The rulers of the Mahratta Principality of Gwalior, feudatory to the Brit ish, still bear the name of Sindia. The Sindia family arose in Gwalior, and was of low caste. Its founder was Ranuji Sindia, who had risen to a high rank in the Peshwa's body-guard, and after 1743 received as an hereditary fief half of the Province of Malwa. His natural son, Madhava Rao (or Madhaji, or Mahadji) Sindia (1750-94), on the death of Mulhar Rao Holkar in 1767, became the chief of the Mahratta princes, and commanded the Peshwa's body-guard. Four years later he co6perated with Ynkajn Holkar to aid the Peshwa, Madhu Ran, in assisting the Mogul Emperor of Delhi, Shah Alain, to expel the Sikhs from his territories. As a reward for his services Madhava Rao was made virtual ruler of these lands. Ile fought against the English in the first Mahratta War (1779-82), which was concluded by the Treaty of Salbai. The terms here agreed upon conferred on Madhava Ran the districts WWI in Gujarat. He quickly extended his power, and in 1784 he cap tured Gwalior, after which lie seized Delhi, Agra, Alighur, and almost the entire Doab (q.v.), and subjugated the Rajput States of Jodhpur, Udai pur, and Jaipur. Madhava Rao's last years were filled with contests against his rival. Nana Far navese, until his death in 1794. He was suc ceeded by his grand-nephew, a boy of fourteen, named Daulat Rao (1794-1827), who allied him self with the Peshwa and with the other Mal ratta chiefs, and plundered Poona and Iudore In 1802, while attempting to control Indore through the imbecile son of Tukaji Holkar, he and the Peshwa, despite French training and assistance, were crushed at Poona by Tukaji. illegitimate son, Jaswant Rao Holkar. In 1803 the second Nehratta War broke out, in which Danlat Rao played a leading part. Ills forces were defeated in the same year at Assaye and Argaum by Sir Arthur Wellesley, afterwards Duke of Wellington, and he agreed to renounce all his claims north of the Junma and west of the Chambal, all authority over the Mogul, and all chout or tribute from any native princes.
After this Sindia avoided conflict with the English, even offering to help them in I804 against Jaswant Rao Holkar, although he later declared for him, but was brought to his senses, and finally was given Gwalior in 1805, which was henceforth his capital. in 1817 he was caught in treasonable negotiations with Nepal, and was compelled to sign a treaty by which the Rajput States, and all other native States that wished it, were taken under British protection. He died in 1827 without leaving a son. His widow, Paiza Rai, adopted Janokji (or Mugat) Rao Sindia (1827-43). After a brief civil war be tween him and the Queen regent in 1833, Ja nokji was recognized as the lawful ruler by the English. His rule was weak and uneventful, and in 1843 he died, leaving no heirs. His girl widow, Tara Nil, adopted a boy of eight years, .Iyaji (or Baji ) Rao Sindia (1843-86). The dominions of Gwalior were in such a state of anarchy that the British insisted on guarantees: for the preservation of tranquillity. These were rejected and a war followed, in which the Mah rattas were routed December 29, 1843, by Sir lfugh Gough at Malta rajpur, and on the same day by Major-General Grey at Panniar. The British seized Gwalior six days later, and the Sindia Government submitted to the conditions imposed, being also obliged to maintain a Sepoy contingent at Gwalior. In 1858 Sindia took the field at the bead of his army against the Gwalior contingent which had ioined the Sepoy mutiny, but he was deserted by most of his troops, and compelled to flee to Agra. He was subsequently reinstated by Sir Hugh Rose, and received from the British Government numerous tokens of its appreciation of his loyalty. In 1886 .Jyaji Rao was succeeded in' his adopted son. Madhava Rao Sindia. Ile was active in reform and good gov ernment, while his loyalty to the English Gov ernment was shown in 1900, when he equipped at his own expense and accompanied a hospital ship for the China War. Consult Keene, Mddhara Rd° Sindhia (Oxford, 1892).