A Family History of Venkatagiri Rajas

by Alladi Jagannatha Sastri

A FAMILY HISTORY

OF

VENKATAGIRI RAJAS

WRITTEN BY

ALLADI JAGANNATHA SASTRI, B.A. & L.T.,

Headmaster. R.V.M. High School, Venkatagiri Town.

Under the Patronage of

LIEUTENANT SIR RAJAH VELUGOTI

GOVINDA KRISHNA YACHENDRA BAHADUR,

K.C.I.E., A.D.C.,

PANCHAHAZAR AND MANSABDAR

RAJA OF VENKATAGIRI

(29th GENERATION).

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MADRAS:

ADDISON PRESS.

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1922.

 

DEDICATED

TO

His Excellency The Right Honourable

SIR FREEMAN FREEMAN-THOMAS

BARON WILLINGDON OF RATTON,

G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., G.B.E.,

Governor of Fort St. George, Madras,

 

 

BY

Lt. Sir THE RAJAH OF VENKATAGIRI,

K.C.I.E., A.D.C.,

Panchahazar and Mansabdar,

as a token of his high regard

and esteem for His Excellency.

 

CONTENTS.

Page

Foreword ... ... ... ... i

1st Generation ... ... ... ... 1

2nd " ... ... ... ... 10

3rd " ... ... ... ... 13

4th " ... ... ... ... 15

5th " ... ... ... ... 17

6th " ... ... ... ... 20

7th " ... ... ... ... 27

8th to 14th Generations ... ... ... 31

15th Generation ... ... ... ... 33

16th " ... ... ... ... 37

17th " ... ... ... ... 38

18th " ... ... ... ... 41

19th " ... ... ... ... 42

20th " ... ... ... ... 45

21st " ... ... ... ... 52

22nd " ... ... ... ... 53

23rd " ... ... ... ... 64

24th„ ... ... ... ... 75

25th„ ... ... ... ... 85

26th„ ... ... ... ... 94

27th„ ... ... ... ... 99

28th„ ... ... ... ... 123

29th „ ... ... ... ... 141

Appendix A— Outline of Inscriptions and Others ... 148a

B—(l)— Proclamation ... ..- 148

(2) „ ... ... 153

(3) Sannad ... ... 159

(4] Letter accompanying Sannad ... 172

C—Genealogy ... ... .. 180a

List of Illustrations.

1. Bhetala Naidu tries to subdue the spirit Bhetala ... 5a

2. Two swords and shield of Bhetala Naidu ... ... 7a

Sword used in the duel with Bhetala ... ... 7a

Sword presented by Ganapathi Deva Rai of Orangal ... 7a

3. Emerald, true size ... ... ... ... 15a

4. The Golden Throne ... ... ... ... 16a

5. Raja V. Bangaru Yachama Naidu Bahadur (22nd Generation) ... ... ... ... ... 53a

6. Raja V. Sarwagna Kumara Yachama Naidu Bahadur (23rd Generation) ... ... ... .... 64a

7. Sati-Temple at Akkampet ... ... ... 73a

8. Raja V. Bangaru Yachama Naidu Bahadur (24th Generation) ... ... ... ... ... 75a

9. Temple of Sree-Kasi-Viswanatha Swami (Tower 82 feet high at Venkatagiri, built in 1760 A.D.) ... ... 82a

10. Raja V. Kumara Yachama Naidu Bahadur (25th Generation) ... .. ... ... ... 85a

11. Venkatagiri Mountain Fort (distant view) ... ... 86a

12. Sati-Temple at Venkatagiri ... ... ... 89a

13. Stone-pillar, 64 feet high, in the temple of Sree-Kasi-Viswanatha Swami ... ... ... ... 90a

14. Car Festival of Sree-Kasi-Viswanatha Swami ... ... QOb

15. Raja V. Bangaru Yachama Naidu Bahadur (26th Generation) ... ... ... .. ... 94a

16. Raja V. Kumara Yachama Naidu Bahadur, c.s i. (27th Generation) ... ... ... ... 99a

17. Venkatagiri Mountain Fort (near-view) .„ ... 119a 18. Town Hall at Venkatagiri. Foundation-stone laid by H.E. Sir Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff, g.c.i.e. on 22nd July, 1883 ... ... ... ... 119b

19. European Guest House, built in 1870 A.D. ... ... I21a

20. Temple of Sree-Varad–Raja Swami at Venkatagiri ... 121b

21. Maharaja Sir V. Rajagopala Krishna Yachendra Bahadur, g.c.i.e. (28th Generation) ... ... ... 123a

22. Indra Mahal at Venkatagiri. Opened by H.E. Sir Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff, g.c.i.e., on 22nd July, 1883 ... ... ... ... ... 126a

23. Victoria Jubilee Rest House. Foundation-stone laid by H.E. Lord Connemara, g.c.i.e., on 10th November, 1886 ... ... ... ... ... 126b

24. Venkatagiri Gymkhana Club, established in 1891 ... 139a

25. Lieut. Sir Raja V. Govinda Krishna Yachendra Bahadur, k.c.i.e., a.d.c. (29th Generation) ... ... ... 141a

26. Queen Empress Mary Gosha Hospital at Venkatagiri. Foundation-stone laid by H.E. Lord Pentland, p.c., g.c.i.e., on 26th June 1917. Building opened by H.E. Lady Willingdon, c.i., d.b.e., on 20th November, 1922 ... 142a

27. Bronze Statue of the late Maharaja Sir V. Rajagopala Krishna Yachendra Bahadur, g.c.i.e. Unveiled by H.E. the Right Honourable Sir Freeman- Freeman Thomas, Baron Willingdon of Ratton, g.c s.i., g.c.i.e., g.b.e. ... ... ... ... ... 147a

FOREWORD.

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This "Vamsacharitram" of the Venkatagiri Rajahs is intended to reach the hands of the English-knowing public, as the Telugu history is naturally more limited in its scope of usefulness. Not only are the spirited Telugu verses and detailed inscriptions and sannads in Telugu script left untranslated in this pamphlet as being unnecessary, but it has also been the object of this edition to omit all topics of a more or less controversial nature, as these are discussed in detail in the introduction to the Telugu volume, while at the same time, the events recorded miscellaneously in that volume have been culled and collected chronologically under several heads, with a view to bring the book as far as possible on the lines of a recent Chronicle. If still it should strike the mind of one that the history is based on what is mere story or superstition, as for instance, in the miraculous career of Bhetala Naidu (first generation) or the pious dream of Rajah Bangaru Yachama Naidu (twenty-fourth generation), one has only to be advised to pay a casual visit to the Palace at Venkatagiri before one can get convinced by a glance at the ancient records as the swords and shields (first generation), the valuable emerald, the throne of Yerradacha Naidu (twenty-fourth generation), and so forth, illustrated in this book. The antiquity of Venkatagiri Velugoti line is indeed unquestionable. Beginning about 1195 A.D., so long ago as twenty-nine generations from the present Rajah, with the Warrior-King Bhetala Naidu as the parent member, and continuing with a glorious military career during the days of Vijayanagar Kings, Arcot Nawabs and Carnatic Chiefs down to 1802 A.D., when the present Estate was defined and organised by Lord Clive, what with the ever-extending territory and change of capital from Amanagallu, Pillalamarri, Rachakonda, Devarakonda, Velugodu, North Mallur to Venkatagiri, sometimes feudatory, sometimes friendly and at other times (generations eighteen to twenty) virtually independent, the description takes a more peaceful and modern course with the grant of Armeghon to the English in 1625 A.D., the participation in the affairs of the Carnatic in (generations twenty-three and twenty-four), the assistance given to the English in 1790 A.D., and the Proclamation of 1800 A.D., fertilising at the same time all rich fields of activity in literature, art and religion, as for instance, in the patronage extended to Sanskrit and Telugu learning by learned Rajahs, in the construction of huge palaces and towering temples, and in endowments made as big agraharams and liberal donations.

I owe an apology to the English-reading public for having taken up this mighty task with my poor talents in the language, and to all members of the Velugoti family for the shortcomings in the events described. I tender my obedient thanks to Lieutenant Sir Rajah V. Govinda Krishna Yachendra Bahadur K.C.I.E., A.D.C, the Rajah Saheb of Venkatagiri, for kindly giving me this opportunity to express my gratitude for the long ancestral enjoyment of samastanam charity and bounty for over a hundred years. My sincere thanks to all those who rendered necessary assistance from time to time.

ALLADI JAGANNATHA SASTRI.