VIZAGAPATAM.
the Collector at a sale for arrears of revenue and became Government land.
During their lease Messrs. Arbuthnot greatly encouraged the growth of sugar-cane, from which sugar was manufactured at their factory at Chittivalasa, made unsuccessful experiments with Mexican cotton and foreign paddy and, from 1848, stimulated the cultivation of indigo. This last venture was a great success, and the taluk is still dotted with the ruins of the factories which were put up to deal with the crop. When the taluk was taken under Government management the mustájari system in the three muttas (Konda, Kottam and Ráma) in the Agency, which had led to serious abuses, was abolished and the ryotwari tenure introduced.1[1] A new settlement was carried out shortly afterwards (see p. 173)in the ordinary tracts.
The places of interest in the taluk include the following : — Pálkonda : The head-quarters of the taluk and a union of 15,625' inhabitants. It lies about four miles south of the hills on low ground amid wet fields and contains the remains of the zamindar's fort above mentioned, in which a market is now held, and a half-finished Roman Catholic chapel. To the east, on higher ground commanding a beautiful view of the hills, are a picturesque drinking-water tank covered with lotuses, the taluk and other public offices,2[2] the travellers' bungalow, the house used by the gentlemen who from time to time managed the taluk during Messrs. Arbuthnot's lease, and that firm's office and indigo warehouse.
RÁZÁM: About fourteen miles from Pálkonda and eleven from Chípurupalle railway -station; a union of 5,096 inhabitants and the head-quarters of a district munsif. The latter's court is within the old fort, which once (see p. 241) was commanded by the famous Bobbili sirdar, Tándra Pápayya, and was afterwards captured by Vengal Ranga Rao on behalf of the son of the Bobbili Rája who was slain in 1757 by Bussy's forces. The weaving and silver-work of Rázám have been referred to on pp. 123 and 126.
Siripuram : Four miles west of the Lángulya river and the same distance north-east of Pondúru railway station; population
290
- ↑ 1 See the report of Deputy Collector V. Jagannatha Rao in G.O., No. 2731,Judicial) dated 1st December 1887, which contains a quantity of information about the Agency.
- ↑ 2 Lest antiquarians should hereafter be puzzled by the two apparently aimless arches which flank the taluk office, it may be explained that they were erected to test the stability of the soil and the depth of the foundations required; or buildings constructed upon it.
