The Aristocracy of Southern India/Chapter 3
H. H. The Maharaja of Jeypore.
H. H. THE MAHARAJAH OF JEYPORE
(VIZAGAPATAM DISTRICT).
His Highness the Maharajah, Sri Sri Sri Vikrama Deo, Azem, Maharajah, Yujadud Dowla, Mahahat Assar, Yedal Yemeenay, Salatnut, Samsamay, Killapathay, Islam Sri Jhadkhand Badusha, Maharajah of Jeypore, of the Solar Race, the possessor of a hilly tract, in the Vizagapatam District, naturally mild and pacific like his father, possesses a quick apprehension and extensive capacity, evinces talents for business, and is no less distinguished for sobriety and decorum of deportment than for literary acquirements. He ascended the guddi at a time when all animosities had begun to subside and tranquility reigned supreme throughout the Samastanam. The prudent conduct of his father had removed the principal obstacle which had embarrassed his predecessors; and to maintain the tranquility so happily established required no arduous exertions of body or of mind, no daring enterprise or complicated scheme of policy, but the same mixture of prudence, moderation and firmness as characterised his father's administration.
Jeypore Samastanam is in the Vizagapatam District, Madras Presidency, lying between 17° 30' and 20° N Lat. and 81° 20' and 84° 4 Long. It is bounded on the north by Kalahundi in the Central Provinces; on the east by the plain of Vizagapatam; on the south by Rekapally and Golconda; on the west by Bastar. The area of the Samastanam is 11,526 square miles and population, 4,42,454. The Jeypore Samastanam is divided into two parts, Upper and Lower, which are within the jurisdictions of the Special and Senior Assistant Agents, whose Head-Quarters are at Koraput and Parvatipur respectively.
To the east and north-east of Gunupur lies the Savra Hill Country, consisting of two table-lands about 200 square miles in extent. North of Gunupur the Samastanam runs up in a wedge-like form to a distance of 70 miles between Kalahundi of the Central Provinces on the west, and Parlakimidy on the east reaching very nearly 20° N. Lat. In the centre of this district stands out the remarkable group of hills named Nimghiris which rise to a height of 5000 feet separated by the valley of not more than 1200 feet from the ranges on either hand. The drainage from Nimghiries and the neighbouring countries flows directly south-east to the sea, forming at Kalingapatam, the river Vamsadhara, so called from the bam boos, (vamsa) growing on its banks and the Nagavali at Chicacole. The population chiefly Khonds and Sawras number 1,37,966, the largest towns being Jeypore, Kotpad, Nowrangpur, Nandapur, Gudari, Gunupur, Rayaghada, Singapur and Bissamkatak. The western portion of the country consists «f the taluks of Jeypore, Nowrangapur, and Malkanagiri, while the taluk of Koraput lies in the east. The principal towns are Jeypore, Kotpad and Nowrangapur.
The religion of the country is mainly Hinduism. Ethnologically the inhabitants include Aryans, Colarians, and Dravidians. The Aryans are comparatively recent colonists and comprise the ruling and fighting men and the priests. The cultivators called Purajas (literally subjects) number about more than two-thirds of the entire population, Aryans represent one-seventeenth, Parjas one-sixth. The mountaineers retain far greater independence than the ryots of the Jeypore and the Malakanagiri plateaus. In the uplands patriarchal authority is still unassailable; in the low-lying lands it is only preserved in parts M^here jungle tracts abound which are being slowly brought under cultivation.
The Maharajah is the rightful owner of the land. Every variety of land tenure is found throughout Jeypore. The tenants have no occupancy right. When the Maharajah is satisfied as to the advisability of leasing out the land to a stranger, he has a legal right to do so. The pattas and muchalkas exchanged between the Maharajah and his tenants are yearly documents and they contain express stipulations binding the tenants to relinquish their right to the lands at the end of the Fasli.
The religious ceremonies and social customs of the various tribes differ but little from one another. The process of fusion of the habits of the later immigrants with aboriginal customs is, however, very apparent. In those parts of the country which are in a prosperous condition ideas and manners imported from the coast districts are gradually overcoming and absorbing all aboriginal conceptions, but on the other hand, in jungle-covered and backward lands the colonists are always corrupted by the superstitions of the indigenous races. The following is Mr. Carmichael's account of the Zemindary tenure:—
"At the period of the cession of the Northern Circars we found the country divided into Navili and Zemindari. The Navili lands consisted of the old domestic or household lands of the sovereign and tracts near to towns resumed by the Muhammadans and appropriated for the support of their numerous garrisons and establishments. These lands the local Foujdars and Nawabs always retain under their immediate management parcelling out the rest of the country into Zemindaries. But the Muhammadan rulers were impatient of details and a mode was invented of transacting the business of revenue more in the gross. Their revenue agents were rendered stationary in the districts where they collected and became responsible to Government for revenue, receiving payment by a percentage or share of what they collected. Under native governments every thing which was enjoyed, whether office or possession, had a tendency to become hereditary. There was a convenience in preserving in each district the same agent of revenue, and after him, his son or successor, because each was better acquainted with the people and the resources of the district than, generally speaking, any other man could be. In this manner the situation of these agents became in fact hereditary, and before the period of the English acquisitions, the Persian appellation of Zemindar had been generally appropriated by them. The Jeypore Zemindari and the family of its Rajah are of old standing, and the origin of both is involved in a mist of tradition.
"Previous to the acquisition of the Northern Circars by the East India Company, Jeypore was paying tribute to Hyderabad.
"In 1848, the affairs of the Samastanam fell into a great confusion owing to the insubordination of some members of the Maharajah's family. The disturbance went so far that Lower taluks were attached by the Government. The troubles lasted two years and broke out again in 1885. In 1860, for the 1st time, the British interefered in the administration."
Jeypore (Jeypuram, "the city of victory"), town in the Jeypore Samastanam, Vizagapatam District, Madras Presidency, Lat 88° 55' N, and Long. 82° 83' is situated at an elevation of about 2,000 feet above the sea 7 miles to the north of the northern wall of the plateau of the Vizagapatam hills.
The Royal family of Jeypore traces its origin to Jammu (Cashmere) and to a date many centuries ago. Kumbhirajah Deo a descendant of Kanakasena of the solar race was once the King of Jammu. He had three sons and the second of them, Vinaik Deo, who could not succeed his father, while the eldest son was alive, repaired to Benares on a pilgrimage, where it is traditionally believed he made a penance and after twenty, one days of hard and rigid penance the god, Kasi Wisweswar, appeared in his dream, and bade him go to Nandapur, telling him at the same time that he would obtain the throne of that kingdom. In obedience to the mandate of Kasi Wisweswar, Vinaik Deo left at once for Nandapur. The journey to that place was not easy then, for there were not so many facilities for travel as thare are now; nevertheless, he did not feel the wearines of travel, as the enterprise he had embarked on was such that if he should achieve his object he would be raised to a high position. He would be an independent king ruling over a large state with a number of feudal lords under his control. As the journey was anything but pleasant, he underwent many difficulties and privations, and ultimately reached the place whither he was enjoined to proceed without delay by god, Kasi Wisweswar. On reaching the place, he enterd the temple dedicated to Sarweswar; and in the course of his usual prayer, he mentioned the object of his visit to the place. The very night, the god, Sarweswar, appeared in a dream to the king of Nandapur, and said that an accomplished prince was present at the temple, and that he was by far the best qualified to receive the hand of his (King's) daughter. This was a surprise to the latter but as he had had no male issue he thought that he had better make the prince his son-in-law, should he be endowed with all the accomplishments as detailed by the god in the dream. With this resolve he went to the temple where, to his surprise and wonder, he beheld the prince dressed shabbily. The coarse garments were lost sight of in the contemplation of his fine form, his upright gait and the intellectual cast of his countenance. After mature deliberation, the King arrived at the conclusion that, as regards the new-comer the prince and his daughter the princess, should he resolve to unite their hands, there would be no circumstance to raise a suspicion of an inequality of social grades to present an insuperable barrier to their union. The prince related to the King the circumstances that took him to the place; thereupon the latter took the former to his house and made him his son-in-law, entrusting to him the management of the State. The new king, named Vinaik Singh Deo, governed the place by a strict adherence to the laws then in existence and by a mixture of moderation and firmness he succeeded in maintaining the peace. For some reason or other, the people of the place rose against him and as he was unable to subdue their turbulence, he had no other alternative than to attempt to find his way back to his native country. In his wanderings he came in contact with one Bonijaro (merchant) Naik, by name Lobinia, who helped the prince with an army consisting of cavalry, and infantry, and 10,000 cattle for transport. With this equipment, Vinaik King Deo proceeded again to Nandapur quelled the rebellion and took possession of the kingdom. In token of gratitude to the merchant prince whose help was most opportune, Vinaik Singh Deo used in his signature chatuni (a rope used by the merchants for tying cattle) . This mark has from that time forward been used by all the succeeding kings. Vianik Sing Deo went against many kingdoms and conquered them. The boundaries of the then Nandapur Samastanam were as follow:—
- East. — Up to Chicacole.
- South. ,, ,, Rayavaram in Sarvasiddi Taluq.
- West. ,, ,, Bhaskali river and Bastar.
- North. ,, ,, Budalingam beyond Kalahandi, and Pota-Chinchada near Boda Kimidi
and Gummagodo near Parlakimidi.
Vinaik Singh Deo reigned for 33 years and died in the year 1476. He was succeeded by his son Sri Viziachandraksha Deo who reigned for 34 years and died in 1510. It was during his reign that the Goddess Sri Kanaka Durga and the God Sri Vallabhanarayanaswamy were brought from the Carnatic and established m the Nandapur town. The next in succession was Sri Bhariva Deo, who was born in 1486, and ascended the throne in 1510, in his 24th year. The large tank which goes by the name of Bhairava Sagar in Bobbili owes its existence to him.
Sri Viswanadha Deo who succeeded him reigned for a long period of 44 years but his rule was marked by no event of importance. His son, Sri Balarama Deo who held the reins of administration for over a quarter of a century followed in the wake of his father by introducing no changes in the administration and by adhering to the principles laid down by his ancestors. His son, Sri Yesovanta Deo became king at the comparatively young age of 16 and reigned for 40 years. The following rule was characterised by events of some importance. Sri Vikrama Deo, the king, transferred his capital from Nandapur to Jeypore where he erected a fort. The Nizam of Golconda (Hyderabad) presented the king with a sword, mohee-morath (nishanees) and an elephant with a yellow howdha, conferring on him the following titles:—
"Azem Maharajah, Yujadud-Dowla, Mahabat-Assar, Yedal-Yemeenay, Salatnut-Samasamay, Khillapathay, Islam Sree Jhadkhand Badusha Jeypore Circar."
The Sunnad conferring the said titles, and the presents referred to above are still preserved in the Jeypore fort as relics.
Sri Vikrama Deo had two wives. It was at the time of the marriage of the king with the junior Rani that the country lying between Gummagodo and Kiny villages was alienated to the Parlakimidy family. Sri Krishna Deo, the son by the senior Maharani came to the throne in 1669. He reigned for a short time, and it was during this period that Poosapati Seetaramarazu, who came from Bezwada was given Kumili and Gandredu, and the following Zemindaries were created:— Bobbili, Devupalli, Rekapalli, Narava Mutha, Kottakki and Salur.
The next in right of succession was Sri Viswambhara Deo Maharajah who reigned only for four years from 1672 to 1676. It was during this Maharajah's time that the following Zemindaries were formed:—Pedapadam, Ramabhadrapuram, Makkuva, Sividi, Kurapam, Merangi, Palem Mutha, Palakonda, Birikotu, Pachipenta, Poram, Rangavalasa, Andra, Koduru, Sambam, Bondapilly, Kalahundi, Bindra Novogodo, and Khariar; and officers were appointed for the administration of these Zemindaries.
There was now a break in the line of succession as the last mentioned Maharajah died issueless, while each of the former Maharajahs had a son to succeed him. However, Sri Viswambhara Deo Maharajah had a brother Sri Mallakimardhana Krishna Deo who came to the throne in 1676. He fought with the French and succeeded in capturing some of their guns at Nandapur. His brother Sri Hari Deo Maharajah reigned only for three years and found an untimely grave in 1684. Sri Balarama Deo, the brother of the former Maharajah who came to the throne in 1684, adopted Sri Raghunath Krishna Deo, the grand son of his uncle Sri Yesovanta Deo of Gunupur. Sri Raghunatha Deo Maharajah's reign extended over 20 years, and the only event of importance was that Bissam-katak and Merangi were made tributaries. After the demise of the Maharajah, his son Sri Ramachandra Deo Maharajah was placed at the head of the administration. It was at his instance that the Sangamvalasa Zemindari was established. The last days of the Maharajah were any thing but pleasant to him as family dissensions and quarrels weighed heavy on his heart. He died childless, and his brother Sri Balarama Deo, who was the main cause of the family disputes became ruler in 1711. He was very unfortunate as he ruled the State only for a couple of years. Before he breathed his last, he had the pleasure to see the Zemindaries of Kalahundi and Khariar and Nuvagodo gaining independence under the auspices of the Maharattas. He was succeeded by his brother Sri Viswambhara Deo Maharajah who ascended the throne in 1718. He was a typical orthodox Hindu. It was he that established the Ugratara Yentra and the Goddess China Kanaka Durga in Jeypore. The next in succession was Sri Lala Krishna Deo the step-brother of the former Maharajah, who ruled over the Samastanam for a period of six years, and finding every thing in chaos, betook himself to Kalayanasingapur. His brother Sri Vikrama Deo Maharajah came to the throne in 1758. He was assisted in the administration by the well-known Dewan Jagannadhapatro. It was during the rule of this Maharajah that fierce battles took place, one of them being against the French at Malkanagiri; they were driven away as far as Godavery. AnotheT battle that followed was with the Maharattas at Ummerkota. The payment of Jamabandi which was hitherto made to the Nizam of Hyderabad was transferred to the British, and the Parganas of Kotpad were acquired from Bastar for the military assistance rendered to the Bastar king in 1777.
Sri Ramachandra Deo Maharajah ascended the throne in 1779. He reigned nearly for half a century; during which long period the Peish-cush payable to the paramount power was fixed at Rs. 16,000 and an elephant with four horses was presented to the Maharajah by the Nagpur Government. The living monuments of his long reign are the Jagannasagar tank in Jeypore, the Mekhamala and other gardens, the Jagannadhapur and Ganganapur Agraharams. The custom Sati being in existence then, the third wife of the Mahrajah ascended the funeral pile with her husband. The British Government issued to the Maharajah a Sannad Milklet Istimirar. Sri Vikrama Deo Maharajah, the son of Sri Ramachandra Deo Maharajah, came to the throne in 1825. His administrative capacity was so great that immediately after he assumed the reins of Government he instituted such wholesome measures that he found it a light task to change the chaos into order and to infuse a new spirit into the personnel of the State. Several futuridars whose heads turned and who always troubled the former Maharajahs were arrested and brought to book. He was very pious and orthodox. Up to this time the administration of Criminal and Civil justice was practically in the hands of the Maharajahs of this family.
Sri Ramachandra Deo Maharajah who was born in 1843 assumed the reins of administration in 1860. He rendered valuable aid to the British Government in quelling the Savra rising in the Gunupur taluq and the well-known Rampa rebellion in the Godavery District. The authorities, while, placing on record their high appreciation of the attachment of the Maharajah, went to the extent of presenting him with a sword, a military uniform, a diamond ring, a rifle, a watch and a pearl necklace. When H. E. H. the Prince of Wales, now King Edward VII, visited Madras, the Maharajah was one of those that were introduced to his Royal Highness, who presented him with a medal. Several educated men, Brahmins and Muhammadans, who hailed from distant places, found in him a great patron. It would appear that in 1860 the Maharajah voluntarily resigned the administration of Civil and Criminal justice in favour of the British.
The present Maharajah, Sri Sri Sri Vikrama Deo, was born in 1875, and as he was a minor of 14 years at the time of his father's death, the management of the Samastanam was taken over by Government. When the prince arrived at the years of discretion, his father made suitable arrangements for the education of the son and Dr. Marsh who was then appointed tutor remained as such till the expiration of the minority of the prince. Sri Vikrama Deo attained under his tuition a considerable degree of learning and a general knowledge of the arts and sciences. True to the principle that travelling is half education, the doctor took his pupil to almost all the places of importance in India. In the course of these tours, he interviewed Lord Elgin, the then Viceroy and Governor-General of India, and Lord Wenlock, the then Governor of Madras. Under the most favourable auspices, after the Maharajah had received a sound education and the Government of Madras had formed a high opinion of his character, Sri Sri Sri Vikrama Deo Maharajah ascended the guddi on the 27th November 1895. It was a day of very great rejoicing to the people of Jeypore to find the son of their deceased Maharajah, with all the accomplishments necessary for a ruler of a large Samastanam, placed at the head of the administration. The investiture ceremony took place at the instance of Mr. Willock, i.c.s., the then Agent to the Governor at Vizagapatam, when all the local European and Native Officials were present to witness the inauguration. In 1893 the Maharajah was married to a princess of the well-known Surgoja House in Udayapur (Chota Nagapur). The fruit of this union is Sri Sri Sri Ramachandra Deo born on the 17th December, 1893. The Government of India in recognition of the merit and qualifications of the Prince conferred on him the personal distinction of Maharajah in 1896, which was originally owned by his ancestors both before and after the advent of the British. The Maharajah went to Madras in
The Kumara Rajah of Jeypore.
Be it said to the credit of the Maharajah that he opens his purse liberally to any institution that is calculated to do good to the public at large. He is not conservative, but is very liberal although he may be said to be orthodox. We are, glad to observe that he has offered Rs. 150,000 to the Government of Madras for the construction of the Collab and the Indravati bridges. To the Victoria Memorial Hall Fund at Calcutta, he lately gave Rs. 5,000, and a similar amount to the same fund at Madras. The Maharajah and the Maharani Circar have established four beds in Victoria Caste and Ghosh a Hospital at a cost of Rs. 8,800. The Maharajah sometime ago subscribed and paid Rs. 4,000 to the Indian Famine Relief Fund and 1,050 Rupees to the Transvaal War Fund. Through Mr. H. A. Sim, the Maharajah paid Rs. 1,500 to the Royal Asiatic Society's Medal Fund in England, and to the Victoria Memorial Hall Redemption Fund in Madras, Rs. 1,500. He pays the following annual contributions to the Government of Madras:—
- Agency Works ... ...10,000
- Vaccination ... ... 1,800
- Medical ... ... ... 700
- Sanitation ... ... ... 750
- Education ... ... ... 1,200
The Maharajah is aided in the affairs of the Samastanam by M. R. Ry. P. Venkannah Pantulu Garu, who after having made a name as a revenue officer of extraordinary abilities in the British service, joined the staff of the Samastanam some years ago. It is gratifying to find that the Samastanam has an efficient establishment and the following are the Officers thereof:—
Durbar Sanskrit Pandits.
- 1. M.R.Ry. Vidyabhnshana Kristna Nando Sastri Garu.
- 2. M.R.Ry. Krishna Dass Garu.
Family Purohit.
- 1. Deena Moni Radho.
A-d-c's.
- 1. Sri Lakshmi Chendra Rai Garu.
- 2. Sri Neela Kanta Rai Garu.
STATE OFFICERS.
Samasthanum Office.
- J. Marsh, Esq., m.a. t.l.]).. Administrator, on leave.
- Mr. P. Venkannah Pantulu, Dewan.
- ,, B. Subba Row, Sheristadar.
- ,, M. Kamaraju Pantulu, Head-accountant.
- ,, G. Syamalarow Pantulu, E. Head Clerk,
Divisional Officers.
- 1. Sri Sn Gopinadha Deo Garu, Manager, Jeypore Division.
- 2. Mr. V. Lingamurti Pantnln. Manager. Gunpur Division .
LAW.
- 1. Mr, K Somayajulu Pantulu, Vakil.
TALUQ OFFICERS.
Jeypore Division.
- 1. Sri Jagannadha Qai, Huzur.
- 2. Bilkari Dass, Koraput.
- 3. Pithambarasantro, Kotpad.
- 4. Balabhadra Bakshi Bahadur, Nowrangpur.
- 5. C. H. Snryanarayana Bow Pantnln, Bhyrava-singpur.
- 6. M. Gopalaswami Naidn, Omerkote.
- 7. K. Seetharamayya Pantulu, Malkangiri.
- 8. K. Simhagiri Patnaik, Nandapore.
- 9. M Hari Kristna Patnaik, Ramagiri.
Gunpur Division.
- 1. D. Jagannaikulu Pantulu, Gnnpnr.
- 2. V. Gangarajn Pantulu, Rayaghada.
- 3. G. Bamakrishnamma Pantulu, Kalyanasingpur.
- 4. P. Brahmaji Row Pantulu, Natayanapatam.
- 5. Gorachendra Santra, Gudari.
- 6. K. V. Narasimham Pantulu, Madgole.
- 7. M. Venkannah Pantulu, Narasipuram. '
Medical Establishment.
- 1. M.R.Ry. Vaidyaraj Vinayakamisri Garu.
- 2. ,, Vikramaraj Payila Garu.
- 3. ,, Lobiny Maha Patro Garu.
Body-guards Kumandan or Commandant.
- 1. Mr. Rahim Khan Sahib.
Stables Establishment.
- 2. Mr. J. Langan, Supemitendent
Elephant Establishment.
- 1. Mr. Pithavasa Mabanti, Superintendent.
Huzur Guards.
- 1. Sri Krishna Chandra Deo, Commandant.
- 2. J. Kannayya, Jamadar.
- 3. D. Hanmnantharow, Havildar.
Forest Establishment.
- 1. Mr. C. A. Eber Hardie, Chief Forest Officer.
- 2. „ C. Hammond, Divisional Officer, Jeypore.
- 3. ,, E. D. Pierce do. Gunpm'.
Range Officers.
- 1. Mr. A. Gordon, Omerkote Range.
- 2. „ Barlow, Malkangiri Range.
- 3. ,, A. M. Clay, Mottu Range.
- 4. ,, E. G. Burby, Jeypore Range. ,
- 5. ,, C. Butler, Eayaghada Range.
- 6. ,, Samuels, Gunpur Range.
Saw-mills Establishment.
- 1. Mr. W. A. Aberneithy, Superintendent.
Devasthanam Establishment.
- 1. D. V. Suryanarayana Eow Pantulu, Ameen.
ENGINEERING ESTABLISHMENT,
Overseers.
- 1. K. Suryanarayana Patnaik.
- 2. P. Venkatarow Pantulu.
Educational Establishment.
- 1. V. Bhamiah Chetti, Tutor to Sri Sri Sri Yuwarajah Maharajah.
Thatraz or Commander-in-chief.
1. Sree Narendra Thatraz, Zemindar of Bissam-katak.
Sirdars.
1. Dargi Patro.
2. Lokanadha Jenna.
The Maharajah is of middling stature and of pleasing countenance and his eyes shine forth with remarkable intelligence. He is elegant in deportment and affable and unassuming in his manners. With energies of mind and with splendid talents for business, he is patient, prudent, and attentive to the affairs of the Samastanam and skilful in conducting them. He is conversant with several languages and is a great lover and patron of the arts and the sciences. From what has been said above, it will be easily seen that the Maharajah has been managing the Samastanam with much credit to himself and benefit to his subjects, and towers so high above others that he richly deserves the highest honors that it is in the power of the Government of India to confer on him.