Page:The Aristocracy of Southern India.djvu/116

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The Aristocracy of Southern India.


The Rajah Sahib personally disposes of the civil and criminal cases; but when he goes on circuit, his assistants under his orders hear them. The laws in vogue are similar to those observed in British territories.

Whenever the Rajah Sahib proceeds to Hyderabad, His Highness the Nizam's Government receive him with marked respect by furnishing him with a body guard, a state carriage, and an elephant with amari.

The Rajah Sahib shortly expects from H. H. the Nizam Subadar powers which his ancestors had exercised and also the dharmakartha powers of the Sri Bhadrachalam temple at Bhadrachalam.

From what has been said of the Rajah Sahib it is patent that he is a member of one of the most ancient and well-known families of Southern India. He enjoys the highest titles conferred on his ancestors by the Moghul Emperor, and he is today honored and respected by His Highness the Nizam; but it is to be regretted that the Government of India has not as yet conferred on him any distinction while others who are lower in the social scale have been honored in various ways. By his deeds the Rajah Sahib has proved himself very useful to his ryots and also to the public at large. This is the only Zemindar in Northern Circars who has civil and criminal powers, and whose claims to recognition seem to have been neglected.

Those who know the Rajah Sahib personally, can bear testimony to the fact that he is simple, polite and generous. He is kind to all; he treats the rich and the poor alike. He is very religious but not bigoted. As we have said, he is a member of one of the most ancient