Page:The Aristocracy of Southern India.djvu/126

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The Aristocracy of Southern India.

natha 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.