Raja Sir Dinkar Rao KCSI (December 20, 1819 – January 9, 1896) was an Indian Statesman, born in Ratnagiri District, Bombay. He was the son of Ragoba Dadu by his first wife. He was a Chitpavan Brahmin.Little or nothing is known of the boyhood of Dinkar Rao, except that his education in his mother tongue was commenced about his fifth year under the supervision of his father. He was also instructed in Sanscrit and Persian. Particular attention appears to have been bestowed on his religious education. He grew up an orthodox Hindu, pious and punctual in the performance of his religious duties. He loved Hindu music, and acquired a fair knowledge of Hindu medicine.At fifteen he entered the service of the Gwalior State, in which his ancestors had served.Rapidly promoted to the responsible charge of a division, he showed such signs of marked ability that his services were specially recognised by his appointment as the Subadar of Taranagar Division, in succession to his father. He displayed unusual talents in reorganizing the police and revenue departments, and in reducing chaos to order.In 1851 Dinkar Rao became Dewan. The events of which led to the British victories of Mahaarajpur and Panniar in 1844 had filled the state with mutinous soldier, ruined the finances and weaken authority. With a strong hand the dean suppressed disorder, abolished ruinous imports executed public works, and by reduction of salaries, including his own, turned a deficit into a surplus. During the period of the Indian rebellion of 1857 Rao never wavered in loyalty to the British; and although the state troops also mutinied in June 1858 on the approach of Tantia Topi, he adhered to the British cause, retiring with Maharaja Sindhia to the Agra fort. After the restoration of order he remained Minister until December 1859. In 1873 he was appointed guardian to the minor rana to Dholpur, but soon afterward he resigned, owing to ill health.
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