The Aristocracy of Southern India/Chapter 5
H. H. THE RAJAH OF KALLIKOTE AND ATAGADA.
(GANJAM DISTRICT).
All those who have been watching the progress of events from one end of India to the other, can bear testimony to the fact, that there are some Zemindaries to-day in this part of the Presidency, which would seem to confirm the idea, that for any Zemindar who is imbued with honest and noble principles the path to success is an easy one; and among such Zemindars a chronicler of the history of the Ganjam District is sure to give a prominent place to the Eajah of Kallikote and Atagada. His Highness the Rajah-Sahib Mehrban-i-dostan Sri Rajah Hari Hara Marda Rajah Deo Bahadur is known to the people of the District and those in the Presidency as a nobleman of cultivated mind, of high principles, of polished manners, happy in his family and attentive to the interests of his ryots.
Kallikote is a Zemindari estate in the Ganjam District. It is situated between 19° 24' and 19° 48' N Lat., and between 85° 59' and 85° 14' E Long. The chief town is Kallikote. The estate has an area of 231 square miles and contains 238 villages. The adjoining taluk of Atagada was added to the estate by purchase in 1854 by the former Zemindar. The area of the Atagada estate is 265 squre miles. It contains 203 villages divided into three muttahs or sub-divisions. Kallikote lies on the northern boundary of the Madras Presidency, adjoining the Banpur country in Orissa. The soil is generally very fertile, and is well supplied with water.
Sri Hari Hara Marda Rajah Deo Bahadur
Rajah of Kallikote & Atagada.
The family to which the Rajah has the honor to belong is a very ancient one. In order to trace its origin we have to go back many centuries. The first member of the family of whom anything is known is Maruva Hari Gopal. The date of his birth and particulars of his parentage are all buried in obscurity but it is said that he belonged to the family of the Rana of Marwar and that he was in the house of Mukund Prasad, the brother of the Rana. Hari Gopal received a very kind treatment at the hands of Mukund Prasad, and in course of time he became a favorite with all the members of the family. He was intimate with them and became fascinated with the beauty of the younger daughter of Mukund Prasad. He told the fact to a Brahmin friend of his, who advised him to banish the idea from his mind, as he should not marry a girl who belonged to another sect, but he added that he would be permitted to do so by secretly performing the penance, known as "Bisbavasu Gandarbhara Rajamantra?" and by giving 5000 gold coins to the officiating priest at Chittore. He accordingly performed the penance for 27 days and on the 28th day, tradition says, a big serpent emerged from the trunk of a huge banyan tree, swallowed him and threw him up again. He lost consciousness for sometime and when he had regained it, the serpent said that it was "Sankanath," that under the orders of the Siva Mahadeva it had given birth to him, that he was its son, that his gottram thereafter should be "Nageswara," and that he could marry the younger daughter of Mukund Prasad at Batteswara, near Puri, in the Dekhan. The serpent further added that the grandson of Hari Gopal would become the Rajah of Dekhan. Hari Gopal and the girl Rathna Mani arrived at Puri after a travel of 13 months and 2 days. After 18 years, she gave birth to a son; with him she went to the bank of the Chilka Lake, near the hill called Sammul, where the serpent referred to above appeared unto her. Hari Gopal, having experienced all the vicissitudes of life, was quite tired of them and therefore preferred to become an ascetic. He sold all the valuable jewels he had and with the proceeds he excavated tanks, sank wells, built choultries, and spent the remaining portion of his life in prayers and solitude. He died at the ripe old age of 92. The custom of sati was in existence then and Rathna Mani ascended the funeral pile of her husband. Gopal Ballabha, their son, went to Chittore to perform the funeral rites of his parents as a Brahmin could not be had at Puri to ofiiciate at the ceremony. He met the Brahmin friend of his father and informed him of everything about his parents. He saw his father's maternal uncle, who was pleased to give the young man his grand-daughter in marriage. The married couple with Damodar the son of the Brahmin Sriend of Hari Gopal and his family and a number of followers, came and settled down at Goppa Kudu, now an island on the Chilka Lake, where they established a temple dedicated to Siva, known as Gupteswara temple. Gopala Ballabha had three sons and a daughter. After some years he went on a pilgrimage when he met Daduva Manasingh, a prominent man of his day, and formed his acquaintance, which soon ripened into friendship, and the result was that Gopal Ballabha gave away his daughter in marriage to the son of Daduva Manasingh. From Chittore he went on a pilgrimage to many places in Northern India, and thence went to Rayapuram in Central India, where he formed the acquaintance of the then Dewan of Hyderabad who had gone to that place. With the Dewan he went to Hyderabad and paid his respects to the Nizam, who was pleased to give him a sunnud for lands extending to a distance of 400 miles. From Hyderabad he went to Goppa Kudu, where he heard that two of his sons had died. He related all his adventures to the third son Maruva Kali Prasada Rana and died soon afterwards.
Maruva Kali Prasada Rana constituted himself the lord of lands extending through 400 miles as far as the Rushi Kallya river and the Bay of Bengal in the south, and Orissa in the east. Of the 400 miles, 108 miles were forests and 292 miles, arable lands. He became Rajah of half the land and appointed minor Rajahs under him for the rest. The peishcush payable by him to the Nizam, was Rs. 1,400 annually. From the subordinate Rajahs, he received Rs. 48,000 and the income from the estate under his control was 32,000 Rs. He maintained 32 elephants, 150 horses, and 15,000 pikes (sepoys). It was customary in those days to build forts in rocks for perfect safety, and accordingly he built a fort and lived in it. Shortly afterwards his first son died, and his second son went away on pilgrimage without any body's knowledge and after travelling to many places, he went to Oudh, where he saw his brother-in-law, Ramakumar, and married two of his nieces. Maruva Kalli Prasada Rana, who went in search of his son, met him at Benares, while returning with his two wives. They all repaired to their native place. Maruva Kalli Prasada Rana installed his son Kuber Singh as the future ruler and spent the remaining portion of his life in retirement. He left Goppakuda, stopped in Krishnagiri, six miles from Kallikote, and built many temples such as Dadheshwar and Ramachandi. Most unfortunately for him, on a certain day, a cobra was found within the idol of Ramachandi in the temple. He tried to remove it and in the attempt lost his life, as the cobra bit him.
Kubera Mitra had 9 sons, the eldest of them being Durga Prasan. In the battle between the Kings of Bastar and Jaipur, Durga Prasan who went to fight under the orders of the Nizam, distinguished himself so well that the Nizam conferred on him honors, and loaded him with wealth. While returning, he brought with him some girls of the Chohanu community who were very famous for their beauty and married two of them. One of them poisoned herself and died, while the other died in child-bed. Making his eldest son his successor, he left the place and stopped at Sardhapur a village near Kallikote, where he performed a grand jagam. When this ceremony was being performed, there arose a dispute between two of the Brahmins that were present, when the Rajah ordered their immediate removal. In the duel that ensued they killed each other, and the Rajah considering this a bad omen, built two temples in memory of those two Brahmins.
Bholabhadra Rana, the next in succession, went to Oudh, married the eldest daughter of his maternal uncle Harischandra Singh and settled down at Kespur, where he erected a fort. He established 258 villages and dug a canal known as Kharkari which is now the boundary line between Kallikote and Atagada. He performed a jagam called "Choyana." He had two sons Narasinga Rana and Deva Ballabba Rana. The former was a great warrior and an accomplished athlete. In a competition between him and one of the warriors of Daduva Durga Mohan Singh, Rajah of Oudh, he came out victor. In another competition with an elephant of the Rajah known as "Bulbul," he showed his prowess and daring by dragging it backwards with its tail, and by pulling it forwards with its tusks. He became famous at Oudh and married the daughter of Rana Beer Singh the brother of the Rajah and stopped there for four years. He had two sons and Chandrasekara, the elder succeeded him. Sudham Chandra Singh and Balaram Sing, brothers of the Rajah of Pattali, went to Puri, where they saw Chandrasekar, took him to their place, and arranged for his wedding with the three daughters of a member of their family. He had eight sons who went to the west for their marriages, when there were evil omens in the State, and the Rajah with a weakness of heart performed a jagam called "Chine" for the well being of his sons. Before the completion of the ceremony two of the Rajah's wives died on one and the same night, while the other died a few days after, in child-bed.
Nilambar Singh, the next in succession, went with his brothers to Maidinapur and married the two daughters of Jalam Singh, a man of great reputation, went to Benares on pilgrimage with his wives and died there. They also jumped into the Ganges and died after the custom known as "Sohayavanam."
The next prominent member of the family was Sarbasewar Deva Rana. He left his native place, went to Puri, formed the acquaintance of the Rajah of that place called Rama Kesari, stopped there for some time, and then married the daughter of the Maharajah of Oudh, Daduva Amrita Singh Takur. There he performed a jagam called Sharada Braja Peya and died three years after. Raghunatha Deva Rana succeeded him. He married the two daughters of the Maharajah of Puri, and performed a jagam known as Agni Shtom. Visvambhara Deva Rana, who succeeded him, married the daughter of Rama Kesari, the Rajah of Puri, and also the daughter of Bagala Ameer Singh of Rewa. Then there was a quarrel between the Chohanu and the Rana families. Latchmi Narayana Bhunj of Boudh, Bisva Mohan Singh, Ranjit Singh, and Baneswar Singh of the Punjaub sided the Chohanu people, who were 4000 in number. The quarrel assumed in course of time gigantic proportions and lasted for four years and eight months, many falling victims on both sides. Lakshmi Narayana Bhunj while returning to his place, usurped 120 (coses) of land, now known as Gumsur, which is in the possession of the British Government, while Biswa Mohan, Ranjit, and Banneswar, who came from the Punjaub, took possession of Palur, Biruli and Ganjam respectively. At this stage, there was a dissension between the Rajah of Puri and the Nizam of Hyderabad at Ganjam. In the battle between the two, the Rajah Biswambara who helped the Rajah of Puri lost his life.
The next prominent member of the family was Ramachandra Deo. He ruled over only 45 (coses) of land that were left out of the 400 coses his ancestors had held. With the object of regaining the lost lands, he collected pikes (sepoys), but died before his object was accomplished. Of the 11 others that succeeded him, there is nothing of importance to mention here. Ganga Pershad Rana, who was somewhat prominent, married the daughter of the Maharajah Sivanand Singh of Benares. He died from the effects of a thunderbolt that struck him, leaving behind him his two sons named Gendu and Kirthan. The brothers who succeeded their father rendered themselves very popular by their amiability and noble nature, and after a time they paid a visit to the Nizam, with the sunnuds their predecessors had received from him. The Nizam gave them a warm reception and granted them lands which were one third of Kallikote, and which is now known as Chattramutta. They took arms against Machandri who was in possession of Paluru, defeated him in battle, and while about to kill his wife, she obtained from them a promise that they and their successors, would perform the ceremony known as Pithirni in com- memoration of their death. This is performed every year on the first Sunday of the month of Chaitra. They secured the Punkala Muttah which is one third of Kallikote, Birudi and Atagada, the neighbouring Zemindaries of Kallikote with a sunnud from the Nizam, Gendu died childless but Kirthan had sons. One of them went to Jalanthra, married the daughter of the Rajah of that place, and stopped there. The other, Syam Sundara Deo, married the two daughters of Katur Bhibul Singh of Benares. After ruling the estates for a time, he went on a pilgrimage to Kameswaram and other places leaving his son Gangadhar as his successor.
Gangadhar was very religious and therefore established 32 temples in his estates. He extended the canals called Kharkari and Kalajur. He performed a jagam at Kontapoda, where he established a Siva Linga dedicatee? to Siddeswar. He went against the Rajah of Puri and defeated him in battle. He was a learned man and he had a host of educated men under him for the management of his estate. He was succeeded by his son Vikrama Deo, who married the two daughters of Katoor Mahadeo Singh of Benares and also the three daughters of Dadma Avatat Ram Sing. Haricharan Rajah who succeeded him had a chequered career. He was once captured by the Rajah of Parla and kept in confinement for sometime. It was not long, before he married the granddaughter of the Rajah of Parla and got the title of Chotra Sahib. He went with his wife to Kallikote and spent the remaining portion of his life there. He was succeeded by Krishna Saran who performed a jagam called Saradhabaja Peya. He was ill for a long time, and thinking a change would restore his health, he went to Cuttack, where he died. Balakeswara Deo who succeeded him went with the Rajah of Puri to Cuttack and there they married the daughters of Sri Rama Singh, a member of the Chohanu community. It was on this occasion that the Rajah of Puri conferred on Bala Keswara Deo, the title of Marda Raja as a hereditary distinction. The latter discovered the waterfall, known as Nirmala Jhar, where he also built some temples. He dug a big tank Marda Sagar, founded a village and gave it away as a gift to poor Brahmins, and also built a fort called "Mardakote." Jagannadha Marda Raja Deo, who succeeded him, lived to a great age, and had the pleasure of seeing his great grandson.
The next prominent member of the family was Madan Gopal Marda Raja Deo. He had many brothers, and *^ there was a quarrel among them, with the result that some of them were killed, and a few left the place. One of them Nalinakya Marda Raja Deo succeeded him. He founded many villages in his name, and made considerable improvement in the estate.
The people of Ganjam, in a body, at this time, rose against the British Government, when it would appear that the authorities suspecting the Rajahs to have had a hand in it, curtailed their powers, and ranked them among Zemindars.
Jagannadha Marda Raja Deo, who came next was of a religious turn of mind. He spent the major portion of his time at Puri, where he died. Bala Keswara Singh Marda Raja Deo who married the daughter of the Rajah of Surangi, made many additions to the estate. His successor, Narayana Marda Raja Deo, married the first daughter of the Raja of Boudh.
Sri Raja Sahib Mehrban-i-dostan Narayana Marda Raja Deo, the father of the present Rajah, was the next prominent member of the family; he had a brother and a sister; the latter was married to Bhraja Rajah Singh, the Rajah of Dharakota. Sri Narayana Marda Raja Deo was highly accomplished in Sanskrit and Oriya, and in matters military, was an expert. He married the daughter of the Rajah of Boudh. As he was childless by this wife, he married another, the daughter of the Bardana Samanth of Ramapur, a member of the Routh family in Orissa. His third wife was the daughter of Biswanath Singh of Tekkali, a member of the Chohanu community. The second wife had three sons and four daughters, the eldest of them being the present Rajah. The other two sons died and the first of the daughters has married Raja Raghunath Singh of Bali Atagada in Orissa. The second is still unmarried, whilst the third has married the present Rajah of Dharakote in the Ganjam District. By the first wife, Sri Narayana Marda Raja Deo has a daughter, who is the wife of the Rajah of Surangi in the Ganjam District. The building of the temple of Jaganatha,in Kallikote, which was begun seven generatious ago, was finished in his time at a cost of over a lakh of Rupees. He built, at a cost of more than 10,000 Rupees a temple at Kallikote, dedicating it to Balinkeswari. He excavated a tank known as Babucha Bandho spending on it 5,000 Rupees. At a cost of about Rs. 25,000, he constructed kitchens attached to the Bhubaneswar temple—one of the famous temples in India near Puri. He purchased a shamiana for Rs. 12,000 and gave it away as a present to the temple in Jagannath. In order that the revenue of a village might be used to meet the expenses of the feeding of the Vaishnavas of Puri, he purchased the village and gave it away as a gift. He established a Sanskrit school for the diffusion of vedic lore. He was a great admirer of ayurvedic medicines, and he encouraged the use of them by securing the services of competent physicians who looked to the medical wants of the people of Kallikote and also those of the surrounding villages. He had under him ten Pundits well versed in Sanskrit. He established two villages in his name and gave thei^n away as gift to poor Brahmins. They are known as "Narayana Puri;" one is in Kallikote and the other, in Atagada. The former is valued at Rs. 20,000, and the latter at 7,000. He once fed 7,000 poor people at Godavari, and gave a gift of a Rupee each; on another occasion he fed 4,000 people at Puri with a gift of Rupee each; once again he fed 4,000 people at Prayagh and gave each of them a Rupee. He performed the Agnishtom jagam at Kallikote, spending a lakh of Rupees. The then Zemindar of Atagada failed to pay the peishcush due to Government, and the estate was put to public auction when the Rajah bought it. He built a palace at Kallikote conformably to modern taste and fashion with the necessary appliances and furniture as became a Rajah. He was universally known H. H. The Kajah op Kallikote & Atagada. 91
and respected for his unflagging energy, zeal and charity. He celebrated the marriages of many people at his own cost, and also the upanayanam (thread-wearing ceremony) of many poor Brahmin boys. He had on several occasions met the expenses of many poor people who went on pilgrimage. On the occasion of the thread-wearing cere- mony of the present Eajah, his father gave away a village as gift to his family priest.
The following letter that was addressed to him by no less a personage than Lord Napier, the then Governor of Madras, speaks for itself, about the Eajah's generosity : — Chatterpoee, Jiihj 21st, 1866. " Str, My Friend,
On my arrival in this District, I was much gratified to learn from Mr. Forbes that you had taken a most liberal part in relieving the wants of the people in yom' estate Rs well as those who repaired to your residence from the adjoining country. This conduct was most worthy of a person of your high position and descent and inspires the Government with a particular esteem for your character. It is a matter of regret to me that your subsequent illness and the misfortunes which have occurred in your family have rendered it necessary for Government to suspend the measures of relief which you had undertaken. I trust that this period has now passed,* and that you will feel yourself justified in co-operating with Government in providing means for the support of the people. Should this be the case it will give me great pleasure to assist you in any way which you may point out to the Collector of the District. If the stores of rice in your possession are exhausted by the numberj of 92 The Aristocracy of Southern India.
persons whom you have fed, Government would supply with rice at the cost price at Madras and take upon themselves the charge of transport, or Government would be prepared to exhaust directly a certain share of the expenditure which you may make on the distribution of food. It is very desirable that relief should be afforded at Kallikote or in its immediate vicinity, in order that the people may not crowd to other places where it is difticult to supply the wants of so great a number.
I hope before leaving this country to visit Kallikote and to thank you personally for your charitable exertions. I remain. Sir, Yoar sincere friend and well-wisher, (Signed) NAPIEE, Governor of Madras.
The Rajah, after a brief illness, died at Kallikot§, when he was only 53 years old, leaving behind him three sons and a daughter.
Sri Raja Hari Hara Marda Raja Deo Bahadur, was born at Kallikote, on the 10th July 1872. There was good deal of jubilation all over the estate on hearing the news of the birth of the prince. Many poor were fed in honor of the event, and monev was also distributed among them. He was first taught Sanskrit by an experienced pundit of rare attainments. After sometime he was taught English at Kallikote. He did not make much progress, as the death of his father interfered much with his study. The Court of Wards took charge of the the management of the estate and sent the young Rajah to Parlakimedi for education. He remained there for a H. H. The Eajah of Kallikote & Atagada. 93
short time and then went to Madras, where he was placed under the care and tuition of Mr. R. W. Potts, a well- known educationist of his day, who devoted much attention to give the young pupil such instruction in political economy and other kindred subjects as was calculated to enable him to manage his estate well. His intelligence and understanding were seen and admired by those who came in contact with him; his love of pleasure had not so much ascendancy^ over him as in the case of many other princes of his position. His friends, his teachers, and those who knew him most intimately were thoroughly sensible of the extent of his mental faculties, and when his education came to a close, he was considered as one who had the best chance of gaining a distinguished position among the princes of Southern India. At the completion of his 21st year, in 1883, he took charge of the management of his estate from the Court of Wards, and made his brother Yuvaraj.
The Rajah Sahib married in 1891, the first daughter of Babu Brindabhan Chandra Bhunja Deo, Chotra Sahib of Mourbhunj, the paternal uncle of the present Maharajah of Mourbhunj, a Native State in the Balasore District, Orissa. The Rani was suddenly taken ill, when the best of medical aid was obtained but in vain. She died after being confined to her bed only for a short time. The Rajah married his deceased wife's sister in 1895, when under the directions of H. E. the Governor of Madras, the Private Secretary, Mr. MacCartie wrote thus : —
25th May, 1895.
My Dear Sir,
I am much obliged for your letter dated 17th instant. I am now to convev H. E. the Governor's congratulations 94 The Aristocracy of Southern India.
on the successful performance of your marriage ceremonials.
Wishing you a long and prosperous life. I remain, Yours sincerely, (Signed) C. F. MacCAETIE.
It was the Rajah Sahib that purchased the Rambha Estate from Mr. F. J. B. Minchin some years ago. As the major portion of the Chilka Lake which is attached to that estate belongs to the Rajah Sahib we give an account of it from W. W. Hunter's Orissa:—
"A native tradition relates how, about the year of Our Lord 318, a strange race (the Yavanas) came sailing accross the sea, and cast anchor off the holy city of Puri, hoping to capture the temple, with its store of jewels, and treasure-house of costly oblations. But the priests^ having for days beforehand seen quantities of litter from the horses and elephants drifting ashore, fled with the precious image and left an empty city to the invaders. The disappointed General Red-arm (Rakhta-Bahu) by name, enraged at the tell-tale tide, advanced in battle array to punish the ocean. The sea receded deceitfully for a couple of miles, and then suddenly surging in upon the presumptons foreigners, swallowed them up. At the same time it flooded a great part of the Puri District, and formed the Chilka Lake. We take the following from " Wild-life in Canara" by Forbes : —
"The Chilka Lake extends from Pooree to the neigh- bourhood of the town of Ganjam, a distance of nearly fifty miles, with an average width of ten miles. It is separated from the sea by a narrow sandy plain, but is bordered on its inland side by a varied and beautiful margin of hill and woodland. The lake is fed by a branch of the Mahanuddi (which joins the sea near Pooree), and during the rains its surplus waters cut their way to the sea at the narrowest point of the intervening plain, by a channel which remains open to the tide for the greater part of the year.
"Thus the Chilka is neither wholly salt nor wholly fresh; but it is full of fish, produces immense quantities of prawns, and is in consequence the resort of great numbers of wild fowl. Pelicans and cormorants of different sorts fish its waters, and waders of all sizes and species feed along its shores. The osprey and the fish-hawk are always to be seen there, and vast flocks of wild duck and teal of many varieties make it their favourite haunt.
"Among the rocks at the base of the hills which here and there descend into the lake, colonists of others find a congenial home, and where there is space for a margin of green turf, the peafowl steals out from among the over-hanging bamboo clumps, morning and evening, to pick up small marine insects.
"Several islands are scattered about the lake, some flat and rush-grown, where water-rail and teal, and some other species breed, and where collectors of eggs may find specimens not often procurable. But the most remarkable of the group is Bird Island, a high pile of boulders at the southern end of the lake, and distant about two miles from the shore. It is greatly favoured by birds of many sorts as a breeding-place. 9(j The Aristocracy of Southern India.
"A quarter of a mile from the western shore of the Chilka is Deer Island, a low sandy islet, almost covered with thicket, except along its shores, where the rise and fall of tidal water only permits the growth of a wide margin of saline tm-f. There are glades here and there among the underwood and yew trees. The whole of the little island is less than a mile. This is the chosen haunt of a small herd of spotted deer which seems to cross at pleasure from the mainland, some of them being almost always to be found on " Deer Island."
"The sandy plain which separates the Chilka Lake from the sea is not more than two miles wide, and it becomes gradually narrower towards the spot where the lake is open to the sea. Considerable herds of antelope graze over this plain, which is in parts thinly clothed with grass, and they may be stalked and coursed there."
The Rajah Sahib is not unknown to the present Viceroy and also to the present and some of the former Governors of Madras. They have all visited the Chilka Lake, enjoyed its beautiful scenery and have spoken in praiseworthy terms of the able management of the estates of the Rajah Sahib. Sir Arthur Havelock wrote thus, under date, 1st April 1898:—
"My Dear Eajah,
I beg your acceptance of the photographs of myself which I am sending you. I take the opportunity of " thanking you once more for your kindness and hospitality at Eambha. I retain a pleasant recollection of my visit." With expressions of regard, I remain. Your sincere Friend, (Signed) A. E. HAVELOCK. H. H. The Rajah of Kallikote (fe Atagada. 97
The present Eani is an accomplished lady in Uriya. She has published a book entitled " Balikapato," which is a very interesting reading. The whole of the Ramayana and the Mahabarata is epitomised in it in dialogue form, showing the acute intelligence of the authoress. Besides the Ramayana and the Mahabarata there are also many other points of interest in the book, copies of which are given away gratis. She gave birth to a son in 1898, who died a child of 8 months, when H. E. the Governor of Madras wrote to the Rajah Sahib in the following terms : — Uth April 1898.
"My Dear Rajah,
It is with sincere sorrow that I have heard of the terrible loss you have sustained in the death of your little son. I hesitate to intrude upon your great grief, but I should like you to know that I sympathize with you warmly in your sad bereavement.
With sentiments of regard, I remain, Your sincere friend, (Signed) A. E. HAVELOCK."
The Rani Sahiba was safely deliverd of a son in 1899. The prince, pet-named Eric, is in the best of health and spirits, and is placed entirely under the care of a European governess. He lisps English much better than his own language. He has a bright and intelligent look about him. Mrs. F. H[arvey Dunn, the governess in charge of the prince, is, though a young lady of great medical experience. She was for about five years a certificated sick nurse and diplomaed midwife in the Government Lying-in-Hospital, and latterly Head 12 98 The Aristocracy of Southern India.
Nurse, General Hospital, Madras. She has been for the last three years a professional nurse under the Rajah Sahib, and mainly in charge of the prince. The arrangement of the furniture in the drawing room at Rambha Palace together with all its decorations has been due to her skill and taste.
The following is a copy of the sunnud conferring the personal distinction of Rajah on Sri Hari Hara Marda Baja Deo Garu by His Excellency Lord Elgin :—
"To
Sahib Mehrban-i-dostan Sri Hari Hara Marda Raja Deo Garu, Zemindar of Kallikote and Atagada in the District of Ganjam in the Madras Presidency.
I hereby confer upon you the title of Raja as a personal distinction.
(Signed) ELGIN, Simla, Viceroy d Governor-General The list May , 1898 . of India. ' '
The Rajah Sahib is the only prince in the whole of the Ganjam District who is quite in touch with the spirit of the times. His mansions, one at Kallikote and the other at Rambha—the most remarkable edifices in the whole of Northern Circars—are completely fitted up with modern appliances. Every possible means has been , adopted to establish a veritable air of palatial magnificence. Elaborately carved and brilliantly polished tables, chairs, sofas and various other kinds of furniture supported on guilded frames of exquisite workmanship are placed in the halls and in the rooms. The sleeping apartments are furnished with a degree of splendour and elegance corresponding 'to the magnificence of the sitting rooms. Standing on the upper storey of the mansion at Rambha,
Mr. A. C. Tatam.
The three estates are managed by the Rajah Sahib personally, aided by competent assistants. This is the only Rajah at present in Northern Circars who has got a European gentleman as Private Secretary. Mr. Ram Hari Sampat Naick, a member of a highly respectable family, is at the head of the Revenue Department, and Mr. Bholobodro Maha Patro is the Personal Assistant. The latter talks and writes English remarkably well. As both the gentlemen are scrupulously honest the Rajah Sahib has placed implicit confidence in them. Mr. Arthur Cecil Tatam, the Private Secretary, also contributes much to the management of the estate and we must say a few words about him:—
He was born in Woolwich in 1872. His father served for a number of years in the Horse Artillery, rising to the rank of Captain, got his services transferred to the Remount Department, and stayed for a long time in India. He went to England on sick leave, where he died some years ago, leaving behind him three sons and three daughters. Mr. Arthur Cecil Tatam is second of them. Mr. Edwin Charles Tatam, the eldest of the sons of Captain Tatam, is in England as a private medical practitioner. Captain W. J. Tatam, the third son, is now in Bangalore, attached to the Veterinary Department. He served for two years in South Africa. He passed through the ordeal of the siege of Ladysmith, and was unfortunately one of those that were captured by the opposite side. Mr. A. C. Tatam received his early education in Bedford Modern School, one of the most prominent public schools in England. He then joined the United Services College, Westward Ho, and was there a student for a number of years. He was a great athlete, and was the Captain of the College Cricket Club. He took part in almost all the prominent games and matches, and acquired the name of a champion cricketer of his days. After leaving College, he joined the school of Mr. Windle Taylor of Brampton, Huntingdonshire, and was a tutor for four years. Mr. H. T. Taylor, Collector of the Ganj am District, went to England on leave three years ago, when Mr. Tatam formed his acquaintance. On his returning to India, Mr. Taylor got Mr. Tatam as Private Secretay to the Rajah Sahib. He has been as such for the last two years. He carries on the private correspondence of the Rajah Sahib, arranges for entertainments to European guests, and looks after the stables. He married the daughter of Mr. Richards, retired paymaster of the navy, in July 1901. He is a good huntsman and an intrepid rider. He is a member of the managing committee of the Kallikote College, and a member of the Taluq Board of Ganjam.
The Second Grade College at Berhampore, now known as "Kallikote College" was first established by Government, but some years ago they were going to abolish it; then some of the Zemindars in the District undertook its management. After a few years it was about to collapse for want of proper support when the Rajah Sahib came forward with a liberal donation of a lakh of Rupees, and the institution now stands on a permanent footing.
Till 1897 one of the great wants of the townsmen of Berhampore was a town hall. The Rajah Sahib, who perceived the want, with a generosity becoming a prince, built at his cost a spacious building for the use of the public of Berhampore, and called it "The Diamond Jubilee Hall," in honor of that most auspicious event—the Diamond Jubilee of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria.
The Rajah Sahib has established a free dispensary at Kallikote, the head-quarters of one of his estates, and this has been very useful to the people living there and also to those in the surrounding villages. There is a competent medical officer in charge of the hospital.
The Rajah Sahib has a press of his own called the "Estate Press." Two newspapers in Oriya are printed there; one of them is called Praja Bhandu, and the other Yutkala Maduko. The former is a weekly paper and the latter, a monthly journal which is printed free of charge to the editor with a view to popularise journalism and enlighten the Oriya speaking community. Dharma Sastar is printed and sold at the press at a very cheap rate. Besides a Sanskrit school, there is also an English school teaching up to the Lower Secondary standard at Kallikote. There are competent teachers attached to both the institutions.
Ten poor Brahmins are fed free every day at Kallikote, and thirty poor of other castes are given rations. Byragies who pass Kallikote on pilgrimage are also supplied rations.
The estates are all surrounded by hills, and the forests on them are all systematically and well managed. There are several mines of graphite and manganese. Mr. T. Chaudry, d. d. r., geologist, has been prospecting, and has already discovered some mines of manganese. Every effort is being made to make these mines successful.
There are several places of interest in these estates with grand shrines hoary with age and with views of surpassing beauty. In one of them there is a tank with the idol of Siva in it, whence springs out a fountain of water.
The Rajah Sahib has travelled through India and Upper Burmah. He went twice to Ceylon. He spent his time most usefully in his travels in studying the characteristics of the people.
The revenue from the Kallikote and Atagada estates before the Rajah Sahib took charge of them, was only Rs. 330,000, but now there has been a rapid rise to about Rs. 520,000. The peishcush he has to pay is about 110,000 Rupees. It is to be said to the credit of the Rajah Sahib that he goes out touring to the villages belonging to his estates, hears the complaints of his ryots, redresses their grievances whenever and wherever necessary, and affords them every facility to pay their rent. One thing that has brought a great deal of honor, the thing which more than any other raises him in the estimation of the paramount power is that in his estate men of malpractices, loose behaviour, corruption and bribery have been rooted out, as the Rajah Sahib himself takes a keen interest in all departments of business. By all who have had any dealings with him, his character is readily seen and admired, and they have expressed it as their opinion, that it is impossible to overlook his indomitable energy, clear intellect, sound judgment, and sterling integrity, as well as that earnestness of purpose which is indispensable to greatness.
As regards irrigation works, the Rajah Sahib is in no way backward; many tanks have been restored completely, and many new ones have been formed. He has spared neither pains nor money in constructing new irrigation works wherever practicable.
The Rajah Sahib is an excellent horseman; he can remain a number of hours on the saddle without showing any signs of fatigue. His love for horses amounts to a passion, and he maintains a good stud for his personal use. He has carriages of almost all descriptions of up-to-date model of English make.
Most of the leisure hours of the Rajah Sahib are spent in intellectual improvement; he has gained a wide acquaintance with general literature and has become acquainted with such topics as go to form a well-trained mind. By preference he gives his attention to political, constitutional, industrial, and social history, and has acquired all the knowledge that the books at his command could give regarding the present condition of the leading nations of the world. Besides all this, the Rajah Sahib is deeply imbued with noble principles; he has always been a firm friend of popular freedom, and has earned an honorable reputation as the patron of those movements that are calculated to do good to the public at large and as the helper of the suffering and the deserving. To be one of the chosen men of the people and most respected encouragers of young India, and the generous host and princely entertainer of viceroys and governors indicates a nature of wonderful breadth of mind and nobility of sentiment.
As an illustration of the broad nature of the Rajah Sahib's sympathy, it may be interesting to note that in addition to the numerous educational institutions, to which he has given his support, he has more or less actively identified himself with many charitable institutions. Every lineament of his face appears to bespeak generosity of heart, rectitude of principle, and innocence of soul. He is not influenced by the narrow and jaundiced views of superstition and bigotry. The advantages of education and high principles have rendered him the friend of his district, the pride of his race and the glory of his age. It is a great pity that a prince of such brilliant qualifications, one who has proved himself by his deeds and advanced ideas that he is above the average run of the princes of Southern India, has not yet received any due recognition of his merits. If the Government of India be pleased to confer the title of 'Maharajah' and the honor of a knighthood on him, such a distinction will be but a just reward for the eminent services he has rendered both to his subjects and to the public at large.