Government land. The principal chief thus directly treated with by Government was the zamindar of Jaipur (Jeypore); and the
the various estates have, with few exceptions, remained in the possession of the same families to the present time.
In 1802, the Permanent Settlement, which had found so much favour
was introduced into the Northern Circars. At that time
in Bengal,
zambiddAs in the District, the permanent assessment on which amounted to ;,^8o,258. As in other Districts of Madras, the Government land was also brought under the zaminddn system ; and there w'ere 16 ancient
was parcelled out into convenient estates, which were Twenty-six estates were thus created j and these, together with the 16 ancient zammddris, formed the new Collectorate of Vizagapatam. The new system was very unpopular with the zaminddrs, for this
purpose
it
put up to public
who
for
many
sale.
years after
its
introduction w'ere in a chronic state of
discontent and disaffection.
There were continual petty disturbances. Expeditions were frequently sent into the hills against the more refractory chiefs, and not always with success, for the climate was very malarious, and the forts difficult of access. At last, towards the close of the year 1832, the disturbances in this District and in Ganjam became so serious, that the Government were compelled to order a large military force
to
take the field for the purpose of suppressing them.
Mr.
George Russell was appointed Special Commissioner, to ascertain the causes which had led to these insurrectionary outbreaks, to devise measures for their suppression, and to recommend the best policy for preventing their occurrence in future. Power was granted him to proclaim martial law in the disturbed Districts. Mr. Russell discovered that the ostensible instigators of the disturbances in Vizagapatam were two individuals who had fomented the prevailing discontent. One was captured by the troops, and the other %vas compelled to flee from the District. There was also an insurrection at Pdlkonda, which was promptly and vigorously suppressed.
At Mr. Russell’s suggestion, a thorough change was made in the system under which the District was administered. It was considered unadvisable to maintain the ordinary Regulations in mountainous tracts, where the authorities possessed neither police nor power. Accordingly, was determined to place the territories of the tributary chiefs it exclusively under the Collector of the District, in whom the entire In 1839, an administration of civil and criminal justice was vested. Act was passed to this effect. Seven-eighths of the District, or all but The portion the old Havi'li land, was placed under the new system. not included in the Agency was subordinated in judicial matters to the civil and sessions judge of Chicacole. This arrangement lasted until 1863, when the Vizianagram and Bobbili zatn'mddns and Palkondawere exempted from the jurisdiction of the Agency, which now comprises
