The Aristocracy of Southern India/Chapter 6
Sri Rajah V. Veerabhadra Raju Bahadur Garu in uniform.
SRI RAJAH VAIRICHERLA VEERABHADRA RAJU BAHADUR
GARU, ZEMINDAR OF KURUPUM
(VIZAGAPATAM DISTRICT).
Endowed with those splendid talents and energy that characterize the representatives of aristocracy, the Zemindar of Kurupam, Sri Rajah V. Veerabhadra Raju Bahadur Garu, possesses all the private and domestic virtues, and from the careful training he received when young, and from the ability and skill he has already displayed in the conduct of business, merits a prominent place m the modern history of Southern India.
The Kurupam Zemindari is situated in the north-eastern part of the Vizagapatam district, and lies partly in the jurisdiction of the Deputy Tahsildar of Parvatipur, and partly in that of the Gunupur Deputy Tahsildar, in the division of the Senior Assistant Collector of Parvatipur. Its area is nearly 700 square miles, of which about 450 square miles are agency tracts, and 250 square miles are plains. The total number of villages in the Kurupam Zemindari (including the lately purchased estate of Chemudu) is 274, of which about 200 are agency villages, while the rest are situated in the plains.
The area of the forests belonging to the estate is not less than 400 square miles. The country, being situated partly in the agency tracts and partly in the plains, presents a beautiful variety of hills and dales interspersed with extensive plains and cultivated lands. The forests of the estate contain excellent timber, and abundant game of all kinds. The total revenue of the estate from all sources is over a lakh of rupees annually, and the revenue of the agency villages is capable of great development, while if some irrigation projects which are now under contemplation, are carried out, the revenue of the villages situated in the plains promises to rise considerably. The Peishcush payable to the Government by the Kurupam Zemindari, including the estate of Chemudu, is Rs. 18,987-14 annas, while the land cess is Rs. 5,173-9-4.
About the origin of the Kurupam Zemindari, Mr. Carmichael's Vizagapatam District Manual says as follows:—
"The Kurupam Zemindari (with the exception of the Gumma Hunda which was added by the favour of Gopinath Deo of Parlakimidi about the middle of the 18th century) was granted to Sanyasi Raju, afterwards honored with the title of Vairicherla which has the same meaning as Satrucherla, by Visvambhara Deo of Jeypore;" while the Report of the Committee of Circuit in Vizagapatam, and Chicacole Districts, dated 12th September, 1784, says as follows:—
"Kurupam, the most northern part of the Vijayanagaram Zemindari was formerly dependent on the Nandapuram (Jeypore) Rajah, and held by the family of Dimalash, paying a tribute of seven thousand rupees, besides having 2,000 men in readiness for the superior Rajah's service. It remained in the same family till 1773, when Seetharamaraju (of Vijayanagaram), being at an entertainment there, took it by surprise, secured all its wealth and made the Rajah and his relations prisoners. "The inhabitants resenting this breach of hospitality were continually in arms, and besides destroying the crops put him to great expense in supporting troops, and in presents to appease their principal leaders. On using his influence, Vijayaramaraju restored the country to Siva Ramaraju, the dispossessed Rajah, who was to pay him Rs. 40,000."
Of the political status of the Zemindars in the Northern Circars in general. Dr. MaClean's Presidency Administration Manual says: "The Rajahs in the Northern Circars were at first treated as Feudatories, and paid tribute, being expected in return to keep the hill tribes in order. In 1802, however, a permanent settlement was introduced and the chiefs became Zemindars, retaining the management of the land revenue of their estates, but being themselves handed over to the judicial power. In Vizagapatam, there are 14 Zemindaries, all of ancient lineage, &c.
"Of these 14 ancient Zemindaries in the Vizagapatam District, Bobbili, Vijayanagaram, and one or two extinct Zemindaries, are situated in the plains while the rest are Hill Zemindaries the largest and the most important of which is Jeypore and next in rank, extent and importance are Kurupam, Madogole, and one or two more."
Of the origin and political status of the Hill Zemindaries, Mr. Beaufoy, in his report on the Northern Circars in 1792, writes as follows:—
"The Zemindars who inhabit the several districts that constitute the Northern Circars may be considered as composed of two different classes. "(1) Those who reside in the hills on the Western frontier, (2) those whose principal possessions are in the plains, between the highlands and the sea.
"The former, the Hill Zemindars, secure in the woody and unwholesome heights they inhabit, and encouraged by the hope of an eventual asylum in the dominions of the Nizam or the Rajah of Berar, are rather tributary Princes than Subjects, and often furnish examples of successful depredation or unfinished revolt.
"Surrounded like the chieftains of the Feudal times by Military tenants, whose lands are held on under stipulations of personal service (Kurupam Zemindari contains 17 villages of this class), and whose ardour is often increased by the bond of family attachment and the strong enthusiasm of clanship, they are always prepared for the excursions of predatory war.
"Of humbler lineage than the chieftains of the hills, the greatest of the lowland Zemindars are descended from those officers and revenue agents of the Sovereigns of Orissa, who were employed by the Mussulman conquerors in the management of their new acquisitions, and in the collection of taxes they imposed. Hence they are considered by the inhabitants of the hills as traitors to their ancient lords, and usurpers of their rights.
"Of such Hill Zemindaries situated in the Vizagapatam District, Jej^pore, as stated above, is the first, and next comes Kurupam."
The family records go to prove, and it is also traditionally believed that the Kurupam Zemindari was obtained by one Vairicherla Agniveerudu in recognition of his valour and military service rendered to some chief. The name Agniveerudu is very signiticant, meaning "fiery valour" Vairiciierla has become a surname and is adopted by his descendants. Nothing is known of about five or six generations subsequent to Agniveerudu, and the name on record after him is Vairicherla Pedda Sanyasiraju. From historical accounts, we understand that Sivarama Raju, the son of Pedda Sanyasi Raju, was the contemporary of Seetharam Raju of Vizianagram, and we can therefore safely say that the origin of the Zemindari was about the middle of the 15th century.
The next in line of succession after Vairicherla Pedda Sanyasiraju was his son Vairicherla Sivarama Raju, who succeeded to the estate with good credentials as he was Dewan to his father. We take the following about Sivarama Raju from Mr. Carmichael's Vizagapatam District Manual:—
"Sivarama Raju of Kurapam joined heartily in the rebellion against the Pusapaties, which broke out about the period of the establishment of the first chief in council, and when the Company's troops under Captain Mathews advanced into Jeypore in the year 1774, he attacked the rearguard and cut off their supplies. On their return from Jeypore, the Pusapaties led Captain Mathews to Kurapam and arrested Siva Rama Raju with all his family. The Zemindari was restored to the old family by the Collector of the Northern Division in 1706, and the pe manent settlement of 1802 was made with Sivarama Raju's son Chinna Sanyasiraju."
Chinna Sanyasiraju was the first to rule the estate under the Permanent Revenue Settlement for a period of 28 years, from 1802 to 1830. He instituted many salutary reforms, established agraharams, and dug tanks. As he was without a heir he adopted Sitharama Raju, a son of his cousin, duly intimating the fact to the authorities concerned. Sitharama Raju was as good as his adoptive father, and there was considerable improvement in the estate during his time. He died in 1830 leaving behind him an only infant who survived his father but for a few days. Virtually his widow, Subhadramma Garu, succeeded to the estate, and ruled it for eleven years, from 1830 to 1841. She endeared herself to the hearts of everybody; her piety and charitable nature are still remembered by many an old man and woman. As she had no issue, she adopted her grandson, Sree Suryanarayana Raju Bahadur Garu, the father of the present Zemindar.
It is clear that the chiefs of Kurupam were very influential, and played an important part in the history of those parts of India when the government of the country was unsettled, when native princes and chiefs were partly brought under British yoke and. partly resented it, when plotting and rebellion were the common occurrences of the day, and when the country was torn asunder by dissensions. Long before the advent of the British, the chiefs were very powerful, and were dreaded abroad for their ferocity, as it was common with them to make inroads upon villages, and make them their property by dint of sword, arrows, and bow-strings, in the use of which they were well skilled. Thus in addition to the property they had inherited from their ancestors, they had acquired forts and new estates comprising many villages, and constructed temporary mud forts with bamboo fencing so as to prevent the coming in of arrows which were the common weapons of the day. Among the forts acquired in this way by the chiefs of Kurupam, may be mentioned those of Gummakota, Viswanathapur, Tadikonda and Kumbi Kota. They would go to these places, subdue them, make them their own, settle for a time there until all fear of rebellion from the subjugated has vanished, and then proceed on their march of depredation to another convenient quarter. It will also be interesting to note in this connection that in the Thatikonda valley is constructed a fort of this kind, in which are located a number of entire villages. This was to prevent the coming in of arrows upon those thatched roofs. It was the custom in those days for robbers to append a firebrand or a burning torch to an arrow, and let it go on these thatched roofs so that they might take fire, and the inmates of the houses might come out affording the free hooters facilities for carrying on their work.
We have ample proof on record that these influential chiefs were engaged in intrigue and warfare about 1774, the time of Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of India. These powerful princes (then called Deos) such as Jeypore, and chiefs under them such as Kurupam and Madugole, were, with ample privileges, after the Permanent Settlement of 1802, styled by the common designation of Zemindars.
Sri Rajah Suryanarayana Raju Bahadur Garu was a child of three years when his adoptive mother died, and hence the estate was taken under the Court of Wards. It was in 1857 that the Rajah Sahib was put in charge of the estate with a large cash balance. During the 34 years of his rule, the estate witnessed numerous changes for the better. His statesmanship was admitted by every one of the officers who came in contact with him. He dug a number of tanks, cleared up numerous jungle tracts, and brought many waste lands under the plough. It is gratifying to observe that the revenue of the estate tripled itself in his time. He married Sri Sowbhagyavathi Patta Mahadevi Garu and the fruit of their union is the noble subject of this memoir.
He purchased the Zemindari of Chemudu, and also several agraharam villages and inam lands, besides investing a large sum of money on the mortgaging of many neighbouring agraharams and mokasas. He has immortalized his name by establishing a new town called "Suryanarayana Raju Puram." He was very religious all through his life. He built two temples, one dedicated to Siva, and the other to Vishnu, with an endowment of lands for their upkeep. In spite of his numerous charities, there was found in his treasury, after his demise, a cash balance of a large sum of money.
When we review his life, we cannot but admire in him the great qualities which distinguished him throughout his long and successful career and made him one of the greatest men of his race. He died in January 1891, leaving behind him many friends and relations to bemoan his loss, and carrying with him the good will of his subjects.
Sri Raja Veerabhadra Raju Bahadur Garu was born on the 6th September 1877. As the only male child of the Vairicherla family he was the pet of his parents and of everybody else connected with him. While a boy, his precocious intelligence and quiet habits were admired by all. His father was mindful of his duty towards the bringing up of his son, both on English
Sri Rajah V. Veerabhadra Raju Bahadur, Garu in native costume.