The Aristocracy of Southern India/Chapter 14
SRI RAJAH RAO RAMAYAMMA RAO BAHADUR GARU,
ZEMINDARNI OF THE GOLLAPROLU MUTTAH
(GODAVARI DISTRICT).
In the Madras Presidency there are some rich landed estates managed most carefully by Zemindarnis, free from all encumbrances. This in itself is sufficient to prove that Southern India, more especially the Madras Presidency, is not devoid of women who can manage large estates, and to show to the outside world that their intelligence and statesmanlike qualities are not inferior to those of women in other parts of India. The Zemindarni of the Gollaprolu Muttah has been managing the estate since the demise of her husband with much benefit to the muttah and credit to herself.
Sri Rajah Rao Ramayamma Rao Bahadur Garu is the widow of the late Sri Rajah Venkata Rao Bahadur Garu, the third brother of the late Rajah of Pittapur, Sri Rajah Venkata Mahipathi Gangadhara Rama Bao Bahadur Garu, and the daughter of Sri Venkayya Garu of the well-known Chelikani family. She married Sri Rajah Venkata Rao Bahadur Garu in 1865.
Since the establishment of the Pittapur estate, it has been a custom to make the senior member its ruler. By virtue of this custom, the then senior member, Sri Rajah Venkata Mahipathi Gangadhar Rama Rao Bahadur assumed charge of the estate, and was pleased to give away the Gollaprolu muttah to his brother, Sri Rajah Venkata Rao Bahadur Garu, instead of the usual allowance. As the latter had no issues by his wife, he married another, Venkayyamma Garu, the daughter of the Zemindar of Thangalamudi. The Rajah was cut off in the prime of life after a brief illness. The estate was then registered in the names of both the widows, the income being divided between them. Venkayyamma Garu died in 1889. In 1886, Ramayamma Garu adopted her sister's son, which adoption the Rajah of Pittapur objected to and brought a suit to cancel. The case was disposed of in favor of the plaintiff. This over, the Rajah brought another suit for the share of the deceased Venkayyamma Garu in the estate. The suit was dismissed, and the whole of the estate was registered in the name of Ramayamma Garu.
The water supply to the village of Gollaprolu at a cost of Rupees 4500 owes its existence to her generosity. She has built a choultry which is valued at Rupees 2000. She contributes Rs. 500 annually towards the expenses of the festival of Sitharamaswami. She is a Vaishnavite by birth and by profession, but she is not a conservative in religion. She admits the tenets and principles of the various branches of Hinduism as she is of opinion that they, one and all, tend towards the same goal—Mukthi (freedom from bondage). In proof of this she has built a temple for the use of the Saivites at a cost of Rupees 2000, with an endowment of lands for its upkeep. Some years ago she gave away large pieces of land to the poor people as sites to build houses on. Four hundred households are indebted to her for this piece of charity.
There is a village called by her name near Gollaprolu. She has established two water sheds, one near the Railway station, and the other in the town of Gollaprolu. She lately purchased lands and presented them to some of her most faithful servants. Two students preparing for University examinations receive monthly stipends from her. Many other students also receive help from her occasionally. She subscribes liberally to the Veda Pata Sala at Cocanada. On the Vijaya Dasami day she feeds a large number of people, and gives presents to all her servants. She has celebrated at her cost many marriages of poor people. The children of her deceased servants who are incapable of maintaining themselves are protected by this benevolent lady. Many of her relations who are poor are liberally helped by her, and some of them live with her.
She manages her estate in a most business-like manner. She is helped by a Dewan and a good staff of officials. She hears the grievances of her ryots through her Dewan and affords them speedy redress. She is very affable, courteous and kind to every body.