UMA DEVI Vs. PARTAP SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Nabha was a Princely State in pre-independence India. It was one of the three Phulkian States. The other two were Patiala and Jind.

(2.) In matter of succession to Chiefship, the Phulkian families normally followed the rule of primogeniture. This was true also of the Ruling family of Nabha. The Chiefship went to the eldest son. Provision was made for the younger sons for their maintenance by grant of Jagir, land or purse.

(3.) When the British became the paramount power in India, the effective control in respect of the various rights of the ruling Princes passed into their hands. They subjected the ruling chiefs to various restrictions. One such restriction was about purchase of property outside the territory of their own State. Office Orders were issued from time to time by the Political Department. One such office order (No. XXXV found in the compilation of Rules and Office Orders of Political Department of Punjab Government Edition 1908) said that :