Page:The Aristocracy of Southern India.djvu/150

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106
The Aristocracy of Southern India.


The total revenue of the estate from all sources is over a lakh of rupees annually, and the revenue of the agency villages is capable of great development, while if some irrigation projects which are now under contemplation, are carried out, the revenue of the villages situated in the plains promises to rise considerably. The Peishcush payable to the Government by the Kurupam Zemindari, including the estate of Chemudu, is Rs. 18,987-14 annas, while the land cess is Rs. 5,173-9-4.

About the origin of the Kurupam Zemindari, Mr. Carmichael's Vizagapatam District Manual says as follows:—

"The Kurupam Zemindari (with the exception of the Gumma Hunda which was added by the favour of Gopinath Deo of Parlakimidi about the middle of the 18th century) was granted to Sanyasi Raju, afterwards honored with the title of Vairicherla which has the same meaning as Satrucherla, by Visvambhara Deo of Jeypore;" while the Report of the Committee of Circuit in Vizagapatam, and Chicacole Districts, dated 12th September, 1784, says as follows:—

"Kurupam, the most northern part of the Vijayanagaram Zemindari was formerly dependent on the Nandapuram (Jeypore) Rajah, and held by the family of Dimalash, paying a tribute of seven thousand rupees, besides having 2,000 men in readiness for the superior Rajah's service. It remained in the same family till 1773, when Seetharamaraju (of Vijayanagaram), being at an entertainment there, took it by surprise, secured all its wealth and made the Rajah and his relations prisoners.