The Aristocracy of Southern India/Chapter 13

by A. Vadivelu

Sri Rajah Mritunjaya Nishanka Bahadur.

implored the aid of Ramachandar, who, in compliance with the request, defeated his enemies. For this act of valour, the king of Nandapur conferred on Ramachandar, the title of Nishanka (fearless), which has become hereditary. The latter had a son named, Nandanna Nishanka, who was an ornament to the family as he was well-known for his generosity. The agraharams, tanks, wells, &c., established by him yet bear his name. He had two sons, Jagannadha Nishanka and Karranna Nishanka. The elder established many useful institutions for the use of the public, and was extremely kind to all. He had nine sons, and the eldest of them, Siyyandora Nishanka, who was placed at the head of the administration followed the footsteps of his father, and thus acquired a good reputation for his noble behaviour and honesty of purpose. He had two sons, Jiyyondora Nishanka and Patra Nishanka; the former succeeded to the estate.

During the time of Jiyyondora Nishanka, the king of Vijianagram established his power over Jeypore, when the brother of the king of the latter place with great anger left Jeypore and settled down at Narayanapatuam, and from that place sought the assistance of Jiyyondora Nishanka, who had made him king of Narayanapatnam. Jiyyondora Nishanka had two sons, the elder Peddanna Nishanka, who succeeded the father, ruled the estate well. At this stage, the king of Pithamanipur, whose head turned on account of his great powers, fell upon, Sangam Valasa, when Peddanna Nishanka with a large army went against his enemy, and chased him as far as Belgaum. He had three sous, Thammandora Nishanka, Venkata Nishanka and Veeranna Nishanka. They lost their father when they were all young, and the eldest went away on pilgrimage; hence Venkata Nishanka was placed on the musnud by the British Government as he was very helpful to them when they established their power over Northern Circars. Venkata Nishanka ruled the estate for a long time. He had two sons, Peddanna Nishanka and Karranna Nishanka; the elder succeeded to the estate. His life was rendered miserable owing to family dissensions, and he therefore applied to the Rajah of Bobbili to interfere in his behalf and to effect a compromise. When Karranna Nishanka went to Bobbili on this mission, the Rajah of the latter place treated the former with great condescension, and offered him a palace to live in. There, his son, Sri Rajah Mritinjaya Nishanka Bahadur Garu, was born in April 1828, a posthumous child. As he was born at Bobbili, the Eajah of that place conceived a great liking for him and treated him as a child of his own. The British Government interfered, and took the management of the estate under them.

Sri Rajah Nishanka Bahadur Garu, when he was young, was sent to Vizagapatam, under the guardianship of his maternal uncle, Sri Medini Rao Narasimha Razu Garu. Efficient tutors to teach him different languages were appointed under the orders of Government. He was very studious and intelligent, and therefore without much effort learnt many languages. He did not waste a single moment but made the best use of his time in the acquirement of knowledge. He learnt the Vedas, and other branches of philosophical Hinduism under a great preceptor, Mahamahopadyaya Srimath Paravasthu Venkata Rangachariar. In 1847, Sri Rajah Nishanka Bahadur Garu was installed on the guddi of his ancestors, when there was much rejoicing all over the estate. His maternal uncle built a neat town, near Sangam Valasa, on account of the salubriousness of its climate, and called it Mritunjayanagar, which has since become the seat of the Zemindari, where a nice palace is built with all the modern appliances.

It is creditable to Sri Rajah Mritinjaya Nishanka Bahadur Garu that he is the only Zemindar in Northern Circars, who possesses a knowledge of many arts and sciences. He has studied medicine well, and has cured many hard cases by administering the medicines prepared by him. His knowledge of astronomy is of a high order, and he is an expert in examining diamonds. It is an acknowledged fact that he is a great architect, and a renowned artist. His musical talent is admired by all. That he is a highly accomplished Telugu scholar has been proved beyond doubt by his well-known commentaries on the following three of the works of Kalidasa:— Abhignyana Sakunthala, Vikramorvasiya and Malavikagni Mitra. His book of morals, known as Nithi Sastra Sangraham, has become a popular one, and is highly spoken of by the educated classes. He has also published the following originAl works in Telugu:— Sri Sambha Sathakam, Gowree Vivaham, Raja Sekhara Vilasam, Sri Suryanarayana Charitham, Dasavathara Natakam and Parijatham. He is also the author of a book which contains a Code of Laws as a help to Zemindars.

In 1877, the Rajah Sahib convened a large meeting and addressed those present on the proclamation of the late Queen Victoria as the Empress of India. He composed some verses in praise of Her Majesty, and presented them to her. On the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty the late Empress of India, he was the recipient of a certificate of honour as a recognition of his ripe scholarship, and of the able management of his estate. Last year, on the occasion of the Coronation of His Majesty King Edward YII, the Rajah Sahib got up a large meeting at Sangam Valasa, and made a grand speech expatiating on the benefits derived from British rule in general, and on the virtues of the King in particular.

To the Rajah Sahib were born seven sons; the last four of them died while young. His eldest son, Sri Rajah Chandrasekhara Nishanka Bahadur, who was an educated prince, died some years ago leaving a son, Sri Rajah Viswesa Nishanka Bahadur. The Rajah Sahib's second son has also sons and grandsons.

His Majesty King Edward VII, while President of the Royal Asiatic Society, expressed himself highly pleased with the commentaries of the Rajah Sahib on the works of Kalidasa and appointed him a member of that body.

The Rajah Sahib has been in charge of the estate for the last 56 years, and his rule, we think has been the longest amongst the Zemindars of Northern Circars. At the end of his 50th year's rule, a jubilee was celebrated at Sangam Valasa. On that most auspicious occasion his subjects prayed for his long life and prosperity, while his brother Zemindars and friends offered their congratulations.

He has saved from ruin the temple dedicated to Viswesvara Swami in Sangam Valasa. He has presented Valuable jewels to many temples. He is very pious, and therefore generally spends his time in the company of Pundits. He is very charitable to the poor, and is greatly popular throughout the district.

The Rajah Sahib is full of honours and years, and his counsel on matters of importance is highly valued by the educated public of the Vizagapatam District. His versatile genius, his noble behaviour, his vast and varied experiences and many other virtues that he possesses entitle him to the first place amongst the Zemindars of the District.