Samaldas Haribhakti
Samaldas was a peaceful persona, depicting growth and foresight in his business in surat and other cities. Ratanbai Haribhakti adopted Samaldas as her son on 5th December 1803 with the consent of the peshwa government.
Dewan Raoji Appaji found it difficult to govern Arab soldiers. He sought the help of the East India Company, which sent Major Alexander Walker to the Baroda in 1802. He decided to disband the Arab Soldiers but this could not be done unless their salary arrears were paid. The state did not had funds. HariBhakti Pedhi came to the Maharaja and the company’s rescue. After knowing this act J.Walker (Major,Resident Baroda State)in 1803 assured Samaldas, the East India Company’s protection and support to the Haribhakti Firms of Ahmedabad, Surat ,Bombay or elsewhere within the Company’s authority.
During the Samaldas’s time the Baroda state was rules by Maharaja Anandrao (1800-1819). In 1808, the British had appointed Samaldas Haribhakti as the Baroda State’s Chief Potedar.
