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that time the ruler of Palitana, Shri Sursinhji died and so the case was dismissed. . The new Thakor Saheb Mansinhji succeeded Shri Sursinhji on the throne of Palitana. Virchandbhai took great pains and bought about the following compromise : 1) The protective tax of Rs. 2 per head be abolished
and the ruler be given Rs. 15000 per annum by the
Jain community. 2) This arrangement be in force for 40 years from April
1886. 3) After 40 years, both sides could think of a different
arrangement. At that time it would be the right of the British government to take the decision after hearing
the arguments of both sides, Thus Virchandbhai proved his prowess as an arbitrator. At that time, the political agent (later called Agent to the Governor) was Col. Watson. The Problem of a Factory for Extracting Animal Fat at Sametshikhar
Sametshikhar is the peak of a mountain where the 20 Tirthankaras out of 24 Tirthankaras had attained Siddhi. For this reason, it has a special importance among Jains. Sametshikhar together with Madhuvan was in the kingdom of the king of Palganj in the Hazaribaug district of Bengal.
It was a custom that the king had the right to take away the rice grains and other offerings at Sametshikhar, just as at Shatrunjay that right belonged to the Bhaat community. As a part of that right, and also in return of protection of the hill, the Jain sangh gave Rs.1500 to the king. The hill, however, belonged to the Jains. But as there was some
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