The Aristocracy of Southern India/Chapter 2

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The Aristocracy of Southern India
by A. Vadivelu

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3428970The Aristocracy of Southern India — Chapter 2A. Vadivelu

H. H. The Maharajah of Bobbili. K. C. I. E.

H. H. THE MAHARAJAH OF BOBBILI

(VIZAGAPATAM DISTRICT).

The Maharajah of Bobbili was the only prince of Southern India, on whom the title of "Maharajah" was conferred by the Government of India, in the last year of the nineteenth centmy during the life-time of Her Majesty the late Empress of India. He is one of those distinguished noblemen whose services have greatly contributed to widen the influence and support the renown of the paramount power.

The Bobbili Zemindari is one of the most ancient Zemindaries in India. It is included in the Vizagapatam District, Madras Presidency, and possesses a very interesting history. It is situated in lat. 18° 22′ to 18° 46′ N., long. 83° 10′ E., is surrounded by the British taluks of Chipurupalli, Gajapatinagaram, Salur, Parvatipur, Palconda and Chicacole, and consists of the Pergunnahs (Tanas) of Bobbili, Kajam, Kavitey anl Sitanagaram, each of which is under the charge of an officer called Ameen. The Zemindari, together with the proprietary estates eventually bought, is about 920 sq. miles in area, and contains 202 Jeroyiti villages, 70 agraharams and 6 mokhasas. Its revenvie is about 5 lakhs of rupees, including the value of about 3,567 garces of paddy, which is paid in kind. The peishcush is ₨. 95,315 and the land-cess, ₨. 32,467.

There are 14 indigo factories in the Zemindari; most of them are leased to Messrs. Arbuthnut and Co.

The chief town is Bobbili, the residence of the Maharajah. (Lat. 18° 34′ N., long. 18° 25′ E.) It is about 70 miles north-west of Vizagapatam. Sir M. E. Grant Duff, who visited Bobbili in 1883, describes it as "a clean and well-kept town, furnished with all the appliances of Anglo-Indian civilisation—schools, hospitals and what not—all within a walk of the remains of the Old Fort, where 126 years ago was enacted one of the most ghastly stories which even Indian History has to record."

The Bobbili family belongs to the tribe known as Velama Doras, who (according to Orme) "esteem themselves the highest blood of Native Indians next to the Brahmins, equal to the Rajputs, and support this pre-eminence by the haughtiest observances, insomuch that the breath of a different religion, and even of the meaner Indians, requires ablution." The men of this race are, as a rule, well-built and of a warlike disposition.

The founder of the house of Bobbili was the fifteenth in descent from the founder of the house of Venkatagiri, from which eminent family sprang the present ruler of Bobbili. In 1652, Sher Mahomed Khan, the Nawab of Chicacole, on behalf of the Moghul Emperor, marched against Vizagapatam, when the former was accompanied by two chiefs, viz., Nirvana Rayappa, generally known as Pedda Rayadu, the fifteenth Rajah of Venkatagiri, and Madhava Varma, the ancestor of the Vizianagaram family. In recognition of the meritorious services rendered to the Nawab by the former chief, the Moghul Emperor conferred upon him the grant of the Rajam Estate, where the chief built a fort and in token of his gratitude towards the worthy donor named it Bebbooly (the royal tiger), in honor of his H. H. The Maharajah of Bobbili. 35

patron's designation, Sher (tiger). From Bebbooly the name of the town and Zemindari has been corrupted into Bobbin. In addition to the grant of this vakiable estate, the further recognition of the chief's services by the Moghul Emperor was the conferring of the titles of Rajah and Bahadur, and also the right to use a white flag, dhanka, nowbat and other insignia of royalty. After establishing every thing on a firm basis, Eajah Pedda Eayadu Bahadur Garu returned to his place, nominating his son Lingappa as the ruler of the newly obtained Raj. Rajah Lingappa Bahadur, who had inherited the valour and prowess of his father was also very serviceable to the Moghul Emperor whenever there was any disturbance. A son of the General Sher Mahomed Khan went on a hunting excursion on a certain day, when he was surprised, captured and kept in confinement by a Fattooridar at Rangavaka near Palasa in the Ganjam District. The General's request to the Rajah Lingappa Bahadur to rescue his son met with a favourable response, and the result was, that the Fattooridar was taken prisoner and the boy brought out of confinement. The solicitude, intrepidity, and the most opportune help of the Rajah Bahadur so much won the favor and esteem of the General, that he commended him to the favorable notice of the Moghul Emperor, whose admiration of the promp- titude and generous nature evinced by the Rajah became, so great, that he ordered the free enjoyment of as many villages in his State as he could in one night adorn with festoons. This was accordingly done, and the Rajah became the lord of twelve villages. The Moghul Emperor went a step further, and conferred the title of Ranga Row (Lord Ranga Vaka-Vaka, meaning a seat or resort of a Fattooridar, otherwise meaning victor in battle). This title has since been used by all succeeding members of the Bobbili family.

The sixth of the Rajahs whose reign is memorable on account of the Battle of Bobbili, was Rajah Gopala Krishna Ranga Row Bahadur Garu. In 1756 the disorderly behaviour of the Poligars called for measures of repression, and M. Bussy marched with a European force to restore order. On his arrival in Vizianagram, he was assured by the Rajah that the Chief of Bobbili was the instigator of all disturbances. We take the following from the Madras Manual of the Administration by Dr. Macleane, about the attack on the Fort of Bobbili, and its result:—

“The Rajah of Vizianagram to testify his own loyalty joined the French with a force of 11,000 men to assist in crushing his rival. Before attacking the latter, M. Bussy offered the chief a pardon for the past, and land of equal value elsewhere, if he would abandon his ancestral estate, but the offer was refused. The attack on the fort of Bobbili is one of the most memorable in Indian History. At daybreak, the field pieces began to play on the mud defences, practicable breaches were at once made, and the assault sounded. After four hours' desperate fighting, hand to hand, Bussy called off his men to allow the cannon to widen the breaches. A second assault was then ordered, but with no better results; for not a man had gained footing within the ramparts when five hours later Bussy again withdrew the storming party to repeat the argument of artillery. The defenders now recognised their desperate position, and collecting their wives and families put them to death, and returned to their posts. The assault soon recommenced; and when at sunset, H. H. The Mahaeajah of Bobbili. 37

Bussy entered the fort as victor with the remnant of his army, it was only because every man of the garrison was dead or desperately wounded. An old man, however, crept from a hut, and leading a child to Bussy presented him as the son of the dead chief. Four other men had preserved their lives, and two nights later when the Vizianagram camp was buried in sleep, they crept into the Bajah's tent, and before the .sentries discovered and shot down the assassins, they had stabbed the Kajah to death with thirty- two wounds. The child, Chinna Ranga Bow, saved from the slaughter, was invested by Bussy with the chiefship of the lands that had been offered to his fathers."

The Chief, whose reign was longer than that of any of his predecessors, was Rajah Sweta Chalapati Ranga Row Bahadur who became famous far and wide on account of his munificent gifts. During his reign every charitable undertaking in the District found in him a ready, willing and benevolent patron. In 1832 serious disturbances broke out in the Ganjam and Vizagapatam Districts. The Rajah devised all means in his power and succeeded in apprehending Kambara V^nkatarayadu and other Fattooridars who were the cause ol the disturbance and delivered them to Mr. Russell, the Special Com- missioner, who was appointed by the Government of* Madras. It is to the credit of the same Rajah that he made large additions to the estate.

The Rajah who had no issue adopted one of the sons of the Rajah of Pittapur as his heir and successor, and died on the 18th August 1862. 38 The Aristocracy of Southern India.

Rajah Sitarama Kanga Eow Bahadur, the adopted son of the deceased Eajah, ruled only for five years. He gave a marked impetus to the promotion of education, and it v^as he who started the Anglo- Vernacular School at Bohbili in 1864. It is to be greatly regretted that he died at the comparatively early age of 23 years.

Rani Lakshmi Chellayamma Garu succeeded her deceased husband. Though the lady was very young when the onerous duty of guiding the destiny of a large State devolved on her, yet her enhghtened policy, her liberal-heartedne^ss and her statesmanship enabled her to excel most of her contemporaries. She very prudently appointed a Dewan of well-tried abilities, who had already given proof of his uprightness and energy during the reign of her late father-in-law. Her liberality during the great famine in Bengal, in 1873, is still a household word in many places. She sent paddy of the value of Eupees 50,000, and this noble conduct met with the approbation of the Government of India, which recorded its high sense of appreciation of the generosity of the Eani. She was represented by her Dewan, when H. E. H. the Prince of Wales, now oar Most Gracious Emperor, King Edward VII, visited Madras, and had the special honour of receiving a medal from His Eoyal Highness. In February ? 876, the Government of India, in token of their apprecia- tion of the wisdom displayed by this lady, conferred on her the title of "Eani" as a personal recognition. A re- bellion broke out at Bastar, when the Eani, with her usual promptitude, rendered her share of help in quelling it. We avail ourselves of this opportunity of giving publicity to the following letters about the Eani, who died on the 7th Mry 1887 :—

"Madam,

I am directed by the Government to communicate to you, their thanks for the assistance you rendered to them, in the march of an army for the crushing of the rebelhon, that recently broke out in Bastar, and for other con- venient arrangements that you made for them in that connection. I have, therefore, gladly communicated the matter to you and enclosed an extract from the order. (Signed) * * *

Acting Agent to the Governor."

Office of Governor's Agent,

22nd July, 1876.

EXTRACT FROM THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MADRAS GOVERNMENT, JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT, 26TH JUNE 1876, NO. 1279.

* * *

"Mr. Goodrich will also convey to His Highness the Maharajah of Vizianagaram and to the Rani of Bobbili the thanks of Government for the assistance and facilities they, afforded to the movements of the troops on the late occasion. (True Extract). (Signed) * * Acting Agent to the Governor."

that they should be able to pay their respects, in the same manner as you did, to Her Majesty the Queen-Empress, they will be actuated by the same feelings of loyalty and devotion to the British Crown as you yourself. Sir, possess. I do not know if it is necessary for me to say anything more than, on behalf of Government, to thank you for the extremely kind hospitality which you have extended to as, and which has made our visit so very comfortable and so very enjoyable."

The following day, His Excellency, on behalf of Lady Wenlock, laid the foundation stone of the, Samasthanam Gosha Hospital, and spoke thus:—

"Rajah,—I can only express to you my great pleasure in acceding to the request which you have made that I should attend the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of this hospital, and at the same time of assming you of the great regret which Lady Wenlock feels at not being able to be present here and perform the ceremony which I have just undertaken.

"Your own family has contributed largely in this particular direction. The Gosha Hospital at Madras, the gift, almost the entire gift of the Rajah of Venkatagiri, shows very well how keenly the members of your family take interest in this particular matter. The foundation of this institution here shows that you yourself are as keenly alive to the interests of those unfortunate women of this country, who, up till now, have received so little support. I hope this institution, when it is once started, will be the means of affording relief and comfort to a very large number of women of this country and this town ; 50 The Aristocracy of Southern India.

and that other bodies and private individuals, who come to see the good work here done, will not hesitate to follow your excellent example.

"I have only to express the pleasure I have had in being here, and to congratulate you on the extremely good example you have set to others, who, like yourself, are responsible for the well-being of such a large number of persons."

The Rajah built the Gosha Hospital and the Lady Apothecary's quarters at Bobbili at his own cost, and handed^ them over to the District Board with a magni- ficent donation of Es. 20,000 for the management and up-keep of the institution.

The Rajah was very much indebted to Mr. Turner, a former Collector of the Vizagapatam District for the friendly ad^'^ce he always gave him, and it was therefore his intention to pay some tribute to his memory in a substantial manner, and when the Eajah threw out his suggestion to build a choultry, it took a definite shape, and contributions came from the people of the District, the list being headed by the Rajah with Rs. 6,000.

The Rajah was kinghted in 1895, when the following observations ware made by the Madras Mail:—

"Among the recipients of higher honours the only Madras name that appears is that of the Rajah of Bobbili. This nobleman has exhibited progressive tendencies of a marked kind. He has, like several of his confreres in other parts of India, overcome the aversion to undertaking a voyage to England. Since his return, he has been endeavouring to show that the experience gained has had the effect of enlarging his mind. Lord Wenlock, during his recent tour in the Northern Circars, laid the foundation-stones of two important and much-needed institutions which the Rajah himself admitted were in commemoration of his visit."

The ceremony of investiture took place at Oota-camund. H. E. Lord Wenlock, the then Governor of Madras, invested the Rajah with the insignia of the Most Exalted Order of the Indian Empire. In addition to the honor conferred upon the Kajah by the British Government and the kind words said of him by the Governor, all his subjects without one dissentient voice resolved to offer to their beloved Rajah the highest tribute of respect and praise that could be bestowed upon a Prince. The Rajah, on returning to Bobbili, was the recipient of a spontaneous address from all classes of his subjects. While thanking them for their kindness, he said that he could not carry out all their requests at once but promised to fulfil many of them in due course. On this occasion he showed his generosity by remitting to his subjects, Rs. 80,000, arrears of revenue.

The Rajah paid his respects to H. E. Lord Elgin, the then Viceroy, when His Excellency visited Madras, and he then endowed a bed to be called, "Lady Elgin's bed" in the Victoria Caste Gosha Hospital in Madras. In 1896 the Rajah endowed another bed to be called "Lady Wenlock's bed."

When the seat in the Governor's Council occupied by the late Maharajah of Vizianagram fell vacant on the expiry of his term, the then Governor of Madras nominated the Rajah to it. 58 The Aristockacy of Southern India.

In the famine of 1896-97 the Kajah subscribed Kupees 10,000, to the Indian Famine Belief Charitable Fund, fed a vast multitude of poor people in the Samas- thanam Poor House, spent about Es. 25,000 on irrigation works, and sold grain at a very low rate to the Samas- thanam servants and to the poor of all classes.

In 1897 the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty the late Queen Empress was celebrated with great eclat at Bobbili. A durbar was held, a large concourse of people being present at it. The Kajah evinced his loyalty and attachment to the British power by sending an address to Her Majesty enclosing it in a suitable casket.

On the 21st February 1898 the "Victoria Town Hall" was opened by H. E. Lord Haveiock. The following felicitous speech was made on the occasion by the Governor:—

"The Rajah has so fully and clearly explained the history and objects of this Town Hall that there remains little for me to say except that I feel it a pleasure and honour to be asked to consummate the work which was begun by my distinguished predecessor. I appreciate very heartily and deeply the sentiments which have moved the Rajah to carry out this work, and I trust that the usefulness of the building with which he has endowed the Town of Bobbili will be extensive and long-lasting. With these words I now declare the Victoria Town Hall to be duly opened."

The people of the Town and the Zemindari presented an address to His Excellency, and received a reply from him at the Town Hall. In his reply he said:—

"Representatives of people of the Town of Bobbili. — 1 thank you for your kind address of welcome. H. H. The Maharajah op Bobbili. 59

It is with the greatest satisfaction I have heard the tribute of praise which yon have bestowed upon the Rajah of Bobbili who, as you say, has endowed you with many useful public institutions, and they are valuable works to that extent. You admit that you are supplied with schools, hospitals, and other charitable institutions, and that water-supply has been amply provided for. This is a very high tribute of gratitude and praise to your enlightened Rajah. In consequence of his munificence towards you, you say that there is very little left for you to ask at my hands. *****

I am glad to be able to join with you in congratulating ourselves on the success of the efforts of the Government to withstand the horrors of famine and distress during last year. I take this opportunity of expressing the gratitude of the Government for the efforts that were made by the Rajah himself to assist the people in his own immediate neighbourhood, and I wish also not to lose this opportunity of expressing the high appreciation of my Government of the skill, zeal and devotion of the District Officers under extremely difficult and trying circumstances. I thank you once more for the welcome you have accorded to me here."

In proposing the health of the Rajah at the entertainment given to His Excellency in the evening of the same day, the latter spoke thus:—

"I thank you, Rajah, for the kind and too flattering terms in which you have proposed the toast of my health.

I thank you, gentlemen, also for having so cordially responding to it. It is true, as the Rajah remarked, that the determining cause of my visit to the Circars was his 6O The Aristocracy of Southern India.

invitation to take part in the ceremony of opening the Hall, the ceremony which I look forward to performing to-morrow. I had the intention of coming to this part of the country during this season if it had been possible. But for my promise to take part in this ceremony, I think, I should have been compelled to postpone it to a future occasion. However, I have managed to find sufficient time to carry out the projected visit to this part of the country, and I am very glad to find myself to-night as the guest of the Rajah. I am certain that Lady Havelock would have been pleased, if she could, with her presence on the present occasion, have given an additional satisfaction to the Rajah. But the Bajah has rightly said that the long journey from Madras, performed in the hurried way that my journey on the present occasion was arranged to be performed, prevented her from coming. She could not possibly have undergone the fatigues of this long and hasty journey. Before I sit down, I must ask you to join with me in drinking a toast which probably needs little or no commendation, that is, the toast of the health of the Rajah of Bobbili. The Rajah of Bobbili is, as we all know, a descendant and a representative of the race which has distinguished itself in the wars in this part of the country, and has left its mark on the history of the Circars. The Rajah himself is a man of literary ability; he has also been an observant traveller; he is a large landowner who knows how to work his property to the best possible advantage, and he is, I can testify, a most valuable member of my Legisative Council, representing there the interests of the large landed proprietary of the Madras Presidency. I can only say that I wish that we had many more men in the Madras Presidency and in India like the Rajah of Bobbili."

The Aristocracy of Southern India/Chapter 2

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