The Aristocracy of Southern India/Chapter 15
SRI MANYAM MAHA LAKSHMAMMA GARU, ZEMINDARNI
OF THE GUTALAH MUTTAH
(GODAVARI DISTRICT).
The only prominent family of the Vaisya community amongst the landed aristocracy is the Manyam family, and the present representative thereof is Sri Manyam Maha-Lakshmamma Garu, Zemindarni of the Gutalah Muttah, who bears a good name, and an exemplary character.
The first member of the family to which the Zemindarni has the honor to belong was Manyam Kanakayya who flourished at Cocanada in 1790 as a negotiation merchant. He went to Yanam, started business and succeeded very well.' He had five sons, Venkata Karasayya, Sathialingam, Reddiah, Venkata Rathnam and Prakasa Rayadu. Of these, Sathialingam who rose to prominence bought the Gutalah estate, which was originally in the possession of Mangapathi Deo, Maharajah of Polavaram. In 1812 the whole of the Polavaram estate was put to public auction, when Rajah Appa Rao of Nuzvid purchased it. In 1827 Sathialingam bought the same from Rajah Appa Rao for 230,000 Rupees. Till 1850 the former managed the estate, but after his death, his son, Kanakayya, and his brother, Venkatarathnam took the management into their hands. Venkatarathnam had four sons, Kanakayya, Venkatasubba Row, Seethia and Rajah Jee. In 1860 Venkatarathnam died then the first two became joint Zemindars. As all the brothers died one after another, Kanakayya was in sole charge of the estate for about ten years. He had a son, Chinna Kanakayya, who knew English, French and Sanskrit. He built the present mansion at Yanam. He purchased from the French extensive lands of the value of a lakh of Rupees. He was highly respected by the French Government for his scholarship, liberality, and noble behaviour. He established and maintained a choultry at Yanam and another at Gutalah to feed people gratis irrespective of caste, colour, or creed.
Sri Maha Lakshmamma Garu is the daughter of Seetharala Sathialingam Garu, who was a merchant of Vizagapatam, and who died eight years ago. He was known for his charities in the Godavari and Vizagapatam Districts. Sri Manyam Maha Lakshmamma Garu was born in 1856, and was married to Chinna Kanakayya Garu in I860. The happiness of their married life continued for eight years, after which period, the cruel hand of death snatched away Kanakayya. Since then Maha Lakshmamma has been managing the estate. She has acquired a great reputation for her liberality. She lately gave away inam lands to some poor people. Some years ago when famine raged furiously she made a remission of more than 10,000 Rupees in the tax due from her ryots She has built two temples, and has restored three ruined ones. Some years ago she went on a pilgrimage to Jagannath, where she gave away large sums of money to the poor. She feeds many people gratis every day in her choultry at Yanam. She contributes very liberally towards all movements started by the French Government.
When the estate was purchased by Sathialingam Garu from Rajah Appa Rao of Nuzvid, the latter sent the insignia such as danka, nagar and chopdar sticks, which were subsequently recognised by the British Government. The French Government in recognition of the nobility of Sathialingam Garu, granted him permission for the beating of nagar in his mansion as a mark of respect.
The present Zemindarni sets out on tour whenever she finds it convenient to do so, and hears the complaints and grievances of her ryots. During the time of her former manager, owing to mismanagement, the estate was encumbered with debt, but everything has been set right after the present manager joined the staff of the Zemindarni' s establishment. He has been a manager for the last fifteen years, during which period he has shown a large saving, and has thus saved the estate from decay and ruin. He is spoken of very highly by the French Governor, and also by the Judge of Yanam.
The Zemindarni is very kind to the poor of all classes, and many people depend on her bounty. Her charities are all of the advanced type and she is adipired for her virtues both as a woman and a Zemindarni.