Page:The Aristocracy of Southern India.djvu/141

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H. H. The Rajah of Kallikote & Atagada.
99

one could command a beautiful view of the Chilka Lake, which is 48 miles in length and of a greater portion of the surrounding scenery as well. A number of islands stud the area of waters, and on one of them stands the halting bungalow of the Rajah. The whole of the mansion is provided with gas and electric lights. There is a separate apartment in it for the generation of gas as well as electricity in charge of an electrician who is specially appointed for the purpose. For the quick despatch of business there is a telephonic communication from one portion of the building to another, and there is also a connection from the mansion in Rambha to that in Kallikote, to enable the Rajah Sahib, to pass immediate orders, and also to receive first hand information concerning everything. The mansion in Rambha has got water communication with a basin of water in the compound, and pipes have been laid with connections to almost all the apartments in the mansion.

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