Page:The Aristocracy of Southern India.djvu/246

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The Aristocracy of Southern India.

another, Venkayyamma Garu, the daughter of the Zemindar of Thangalamudi. The Rajah was cut off in the prime of life after a brief illness. The estate was then registered in the names of both the widows, the income being divided between them. Venkayyamma Garu died in 1889. In 1886, Ramayamma Garu adopted her sister's son, which adoption the Rajah of Pittapur objected to and brought a suit to cancel. The case was disposed of in favor of the plaintiff. This over, the Rajah brought another suit for the share of the deceased Venkayyamma Garu in the estate. The suit was dismissed, and the whole of the estate was registered in the name of Ramayamma Garu.

The water supply to the village of Gollaprolu at a cost of Rupees 4500 owes its existence to her generosity. She has built a choultry which is valued at Rupees 2000. She contributes Rs. 500 annually towards the expenses of the festival of Sitharamaswami. She is a Vaishnavite by birth and by profession, but she is not a conservative in religion. She admits the tenets and principles of the various branches of Hinduism as she is of opinion that they, one and all, tend towards the same goal—Mukthi (freedom from bondage). In proof of this she has built a temple for the use of the Saivites at a cost of Rupees 2000, with an endowment of lands for its upkeep. Some years ago she gave away large pieces of land to the poor people as sites to build houses on. Four hundred households are indebted to her for this piece of charity.

There is a village called by her name near Gollaprolu. She has established two water sheds, one near the Railway station, and the other in the town of Gollaprolu. She lately purchased lands and presented them to some