Camel contract disputes in Palanpur

The use of camels for both logistical and military purposes was a common feature of life in parts of British India, one area in particular being Pahlunpore [Palanpur] in the Bombay Presidency.

22 June 2026

Blog series Untold lives

Author Sam Davenport, Content Specialist Archivist on the Qatar Project

In 1843/44, Major Lewis Brown was the East India Company Political Agent at Pahlunpore, and one of his many responsibilities was to contract camels out for various duties (in this case, it seems – though the records do not directly confirm it – to the Deesa Field Brigade). This process involved dealing with not only the contractors but also the camelmen, and, as the records show, things could get somewhat fraught.

A regular feature of the IOR/P records of the Bombay Presidency were petitions from local citizens addressing the Company authorities for the resolution of various problems or grievances.

A page of the Bombay Government's Political Proceedings 11 Sep 1844 containing the first page of a petition from 2 Camel Men, who were inhabitants of Dacca. — Petition from Surroop Daodannee and Suggun Kusnanee etc. Camel Men Inhabitant of Deesa: IOR/P/391/4, f87r. See ‘Further reading’ section below for transcript. Crown Copyright

The petitioners in this specific case stated that in 1842 they had entered into a contract with the Government of Bombay for providing camels as ordered by Major Brown; however, they felt that they had not been compensated for their efforts. It seems that providing the required camels had been difficult. The initial dispute at first was between the camelmen and the contractors over loads and payments. One petitioner claimed that he was owed 315 rupees. The contractors for their part claimed not to know the petitioners.

The petitioners also claimed that one contractor who owed them money was taking bribes, not only from one of the local rulers in the region but also, it is implied, from Major Brown himself. Brown was further accused of favouritism towards the contractor and of being influenced by him.

Brown’s response was that the petitioners had not initially come forward to put their case to him formally, and that he had had some difficulty contacting the petitioners. He stated that he had told the petitioners to make their claim to the Board of Requests, and that the Court of Requests had rejected the petitioners’ case.

Brown denied the favouritism accusations. He claimed that the whole case was a piece of petty intrigue which the area was apparently notorious for, particularly during his predecessor’s time in office there. His suspicions were reinforced by court proceedings and interviews which appeared to contradict the claims of the petitioners.

A page of the Bombay Government's Political Proceedings 11 Sep 1844 containing a summary by British Officials of the Camel Contract Dispute. — Extract of Brown’s response to the petition: IOR/P/391/4, f99v. See ‘Further reading’ section below for transcript of extract. Crown Copyright

Brown’s exasperations at the situation are shown vividly in the documents, as he expresses how much annoyance the case has given him and disappointment at having to defend himself against the accusations but considers it a feature of his tenure as Agent in Pahlunpore. He further states that he never wants to deal with camel contracting again, and ultimately requests that the Board transfer him elsewhere, while also noting that attending to such charges may decrease the influence of the Agent in the area.

The Board’s response to the Major’s report was to say that it could not interfere and that the petitioner should submit his claims either to a Punchayet (a village court) or a Court of Requests.

That your Petitioners received your honor’s ordered letter dated 6th May last, by which being less regret to our soul, which we were without hopes of getting your justice, and your Petitioners first made an application to the Political Commissioner for Guzerat, who gave your petitioners a faithful promise to examine their cases, and at last your Petitioners cases were rendered in a Painful Manner, by the fil answer from Major Brown Political Superintendent of Pahlanpur as your Petitioners is afraid that the cases be rendered to become on future time because many honest Gentlemen not conducting bad way they guides according to the Government Regulations …

Extract of Brown's response to the petition (IOR/P/391/4, f99v)

Bombay Castle 11th September 1844 Political Consultations 34.

No. 5398 Contd.

By many here, and I feel assured from what I have heard that the petition to say was ‘get up’ by those who would gladly see him ruined. I know for certain that the petitioners received assistance to proceed to Baroda from one of the old contractors named Veerchund Shait, others are also concerned, altho’ I cannot exactly prove it, nor indeed is it worth my while taking the trouble.

12. Since I have been in my present appointment I have tried hard to mete out justice to all, and never turn a petitioner from my doors when I consider he has the slightest claim to a hearing. The case now under reply has given me much annoyance and great trouble, and I sincerely trust it will never again fall to my lot to have the duty of Camel contracts imposed on me; for I cannot express to you how my time has been taken up with them, particularly in setting the disputes amongst the contractors themselves and afterwards the claim against the latter by the different Camelmen. Having now heard all the complaints of the Camelmen who have appeared before me, and the contractors having settled their disputes amongst themselves by Punchayet, I have paid over to them the Balance in hand here agreeable to the instructions of the Commissariat officer at Sukkur; but have taken a bond from them to answer any charge that may hereafter appear against them for loading the Government Camels with merchandise …

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