The Aristocracy of Southern India/Chapter 4
H. H. THE RAJAH OF PALAVANCHA & BHADRACHALAM
(GODAVARI DISTRICT).
Of the most illustrious and well-known family of Palavancha and Bhadrachalam, His Highness Sri Rajah Parthasaradhi Appa Rao Savai Aswa Rao Bahadur, Badshahee Munsubdar and Rajah of Palavancha and Bhadrachalam estates, has all the characteristics of great men, and from his rare perseverance, energy of character and various other virtues, deserves a prominent place in this series.
Bhadrachalam is a taluq and estate in the Godavari District, Madras Presidency, lying between 17° 35' 45" and 17° 56' 30" N. lat., and 80° 54' 30" and 81° 8' E. long. It contains 315 villages, half of which belongs to an old superior proprietary estate, with 35,656 inhabitants, chiefly Koyas. This taluq with that of Rekapalli, was transferred from the Central Provinces to Madras in 1874. Until 1860 this tract formed part of the Upper Godavari District ceded in that year by H. H. The Nizam. The area with Rekapalli is 911 square miles. Bhadrachalam is the name also of the chief town of the estate. It is about 104 miles from Rajamundry, and 15 from Dummagudem. It receives its name from being near the rock on which Bhadradu performed his devotions. It is celebrated for the temple of Ramachandra who is said to have crossed the river at this spot, on his famous expedition to the island of Ceylon, and also for the annual fair held here in his honour. This temple was built four centuries ago by some Rishis of old but additions have been made from time to time. It
H. H. The Rajah of Palavancha & Bhadrachalam.
of great value. H. H. The Nizam annually contributes £ 1300 towards the maintenance of the temple. Twenty miles from Bhadrachalam is Parnasala, another shrine of great antiquity. There are also in it court houses, a town school, a jail, a post office, and a police station. About 20,000 people, chiefly from the coast attend the fair held there every April, when English and country cloth, sugar, opium, spices, hardware, &c., change hands to the value of about £ 5000.
The illustrious family from which the Rajah Sahib has sprung dates its origin to a time many centuries ago. One of the most well-known princes of the family in olden days was the recipient of the title of Aswa Rao from Maharajjah Pratapa Rudra who held sway over Warangal before the Mahomedans conquered Southern India. It would appear that the Maharajah had a horse of the best mettle, and it was ungovernable; but in spite of this defect in the animal, the Maharajah on account of the excellence of the breed conceived a great liking for it. The Prince tried the horse and rode it so well that the Maharajah was agreeably surprised and conferred on him the title of Aswa Rao (aswa meaning a horse, and Rao meaning king). From that time forward the titles has became hereditary.
After the Hindu kingdom of Prataparudra was over-thrown by the Mohammadan Emperor of Delhi, the ASWARAOS became independent for sometime. When Tamerlane invaded the country and ascended the throne of Delhi in 1324 A. D., Annappa Aswarao who is now reckoned as the progenitor of the family was the ruling chief of the estate. The Emperor however established his suzerainty over Annappa Aswarao, and granted him a free perpetual sunnud on feudal tenure under the condition of supplying the Imperial army with five hundred soldiers whenever called upon. The Zemindari had been enjoyed by eighteen descendants of the family in succession with independent right free of any kind of assessment. Afterwards the Emperor Aurangzib, also called Alamghir Badsha, once in war sought the help of a chief of this family and a Rajah of Bholapur, and being greatly pleased with the valor and prowess displayed by them both, made them Badshahee Munsubdars.
The ruling Zemindar in 1796 was Rajah Narasimha Aswa Rao. Just then, there were many changes in the Supreme Government at Delhi, and the Zemindar, whose assistance was sought by the Moghul Emperor, asserted his right and refused to comply with his request. Zafrad-daulah, also known as Zabid Jung, who was on hostile terms with Rajah Narasimha Aswa Rao foully murdered him and carried away immense treasure, and also the old sunnuds and other important papers connected with the estate. To the titles of the Aswara Rao family were added the distinguished epithets of Rifuth va avail panaha. H. H. The Nizam took possession of the estate which under his management was called Parganai Hasanbad va Senharagiri Sarhar Kammamet Suhai Phiralmnd Buniyad Hyderabad Deccan.
After the death of Zafarudowla, Ramachendra Aswa Rao, one of the descendants of Narasimha Aswa Rao, regained his estate and enjoyed it for a year. Later on, Rajah Venkatarama Narasimha Aswa Rao, the twenty-first in succession from Annappa Aswarao, who originally obtained a sunnud from Tamerlane, was granted a fresh one by Meer Nizam Ali Khan Bahadur in the year 1798, 1240, Hezree with the titles of Rajah, Bahadur, Savai, and Munsubdar. He was further permitted to maintain an army of two thousand horse, and three thousand foot and carry an Alam, and Nagara, and sunnuds were issued by His Highness the Nizam accordingly. After him, Rajah Narasimha Aswarao, who was commonly known as Savanna Aswarao, ascended the musnud of Palavancha, and died leaving three minor sons and two daughters; one of the latter died unmarried, while the other was the mother of the subject of this biography. During the minority of these children, the Settipalli family disputed with them for the estate, and the Government having referred the matter to arbitration decided the dispute in favour of the minor princes. The eldest 6f these princes having died a bachelor, the second one succeeded to the estate and held it for sometime, and was again succeeded by his brother Seeta Ramachendra Savai Aswarao Bahadur, who again obtained a permanent sunnud from the Nizam's Government. But during the reign of this Rajah the estate ran into debt and was mortgaged to a greedy sowcar. About this time, the Nizam made over to the British Government the territory lying along the left bank of the Godavari, which included a portion of the estate of the Aswaraos called Sri Bhadrachalam. Seetha Ramachendra Savai Aswarao soon after died a bachelor, leaving after him an aged mother, and a married sister. The estate was therefore registered in the name of his mother Kanee Lakshmi Narasamma Rao. While matters stood thus, the mortgagee sowcar who managed the estate for twelve years instituted a suit for the recovery of a very large amount, the principal having multiplied itself half a dozen times under the most complicated system of compound interest. The defendant Ranee, being unable to contest the suit ably, the sowcar gained his case and obtained a decree for six lakhs of rupees, whereby for only a half of the amount decreed, he carried off the best portion of the estate—the two patties of Mulluru and Ramanujavaram; and had the remaining three lakhs paid out of the Nizam's exchequer. Dispossessed of her ancient estate thus, Ranee Lakshmeenarasamma Rao died in disappointment and despair, leaving a daughter and a daughter's son, Sree Rajah Parthasarathy Appa Rao Savai Aswarao Bahadur in whose veins runs the blood of both Aswarao and Appa Rao families. The young prince smarting under the injustice done to his maternal family, proceeded early in his life to Hyderabad and instituted a suit for the recovery of his maternal estate.
Sri Rajah Parthasaradhi Appa Rao Savai Aswa Rao Bahadur is most respectably connected also on the paternal side. He is the eighteenth in descent from the first member of the family, of which Venkayya Appa Rao, generally known as Vijaya Appa Rao, had obtained two sunnuds on the 30th January 1763 from Asaf Jah, whereby he was granted the large Zemindari of Nuzvid, which consisted of eighteen parganas, and was also empowered to keep a nowbat and a jhalardar-pallaki. To the distinguished titles of Rajah, Bahadur, Munsuhdar, savai, were added the epithets of Thahavar-va Jaladat Dastugaha. The sixth in succession were Rajah Venkatadri Appa Rao, and his brother, Rajah Narasimha Appa Rao alias Narayya Appa Rao. It was about this time that H. H. the Nizam of Hyderabad transferred his suzerainty over the Northern Circars to the British Government. Rajah Narayya Appa Rao had a son, Rajah Venkata Narasimha Appa Rao by his fourth wife, and also two sons Rajah Ramachandra Appa Rao and Narasimha Appa Rao by his fifth wife. The eldest of these, Rajah Venkata Narasimha Appa Rao came to the possession of the eighteen parganas.
In the year 1802 when the British Government commenced the Permanent Settlement of the Zamindaries, Rajah Ramachendra Appa Rao, brother of the said Venkata Narasimha Appa Rao, brought a suit for partition of the estate, and obtained a decree against his brother, whereby the Zemindari was divided into two shares; and he obtained the half called the new-Nuzvid Zemindari, and his brother Venkata Narasimha Appa Rao, was given the other portion called the new-Nidadavolu Zemindari. They were also granted Sunnad-i-Mil-khiet Istimerars for their respective portions.
One unfortunate slip however occurred in this connection. The existence and claims of the other brother of Venkata Narasimha Appa Rao, Rajah Narasimha Appa Rao who was then a minor were not brought to the notice of the Government, and they possibly misunderstood that both Venkata Narasimha Appa Rao, and Narasimha Appa Rao, meant the same person. But on a suit brought by the said Narasimha Appa Rao, the Government found out their mistake, and as they could not alter the decision already passed, they granted him two villages of their own, and 14 villages from the Nidadavolu and Nuzvid Zemindaries. These were called Chevendra and Tangellamudy muttas, and permanent sunnuds were also given for the said two muttas. Narashima Appa Rao was succeeded by his son Venkatadri Appa Rao, who died on 18th May 1891, leaving his son and successor, Sree Rajah Parthasaradhi Appa Rao, the present Rajah and Badshahee Munsubdar ot Palavancha and Bhadrachelam estates. He is as already described the grandson (Dawhitra) of Ranee Lakshmi Narasamma Rao, and the British Government recognising his heirship to that Ranee, registered the Bhadrachalam portion of the Palavancha estate in his name in 1869.
Sri Rajah Parthasaradhi Appa Rao Savai Aswa Rao Bahadur was born in 1860 at Ravicherla in the Krishna District. His father was the Rajah of Chevendramuttah, Chanubanda and jageer Ravicherla. At the special request of Rajah Narayya Appa Rao Bahadur of Nidadavole, Rajah Venkatadri Appa Rao Bahadur and the whole family came to Senivarapupeta and settled down there in 1864. A few years after, Rajah Narayya Appa Rao Bahadur died. Both before and long after his death, his brother Sri Rajah Venkatadri Appa Rao Bahadur managed the estate. The deceased Eajah had left behind him two widows. Ranis Papamma Rao and Chinnamma Rao. By 4 virtue of the will left by Rajah Narayya Appa Rao Bahadur to the effect that his moveable and immoveable property should be divided equally between his wives, accordingly they managed the estate jointly. Rani Chinnamma Rad died before Rani Papamma Rao. The latter adopted one of the Rajahs of Nuzvid, Rajah Venkatramayya Appa Rao Bahadur, who died leaving a son, Rajah Narayya Appa Rao Bahadur. Sri Eajah Venkatadri Appa Rao, the father of the subject of this memoir, brought a suit in the Sub-court of Ellore to cancel the adoption made by Rani Papamma Rao Bahadur. The case was decided in favor of the plaintiff. Soon afterwards she adopted Sri Rajah Narayya Appa Eao Bahadur, who was the son of the first adopted Rajah, and who also died some years after adoption. She died a few years ago without adopting anybody. Sri Rajah Parthasaradhi Appa Rao Bahadur as one of the nearest heirs brought about four years ago a suit in the District Court of Rajahmundry for one-third share of the Nidadavole, Baharzalli, Ambarupeta, and Medur estate. The case is pending disposal.
The Nizam's Government under His Highness Meer Mahabuballi Khan Fattezung Bahadur, g. c. s. i., g. c. b., enquired into the case of Rajah Parthasaradhi Appa Rao Bahadur for ten years, and made over the estate to him which had been confiscated by them, on payment of the sum of three lakhs, for which it was so confiscated, with interest at 14 as, per cent, per mensem, amounting to six lakhs of rupees. This order was issued in Fasli 1302 under No. 1032 and 23 Mahesaffur 1311 Hezree 28th Mohar. The Rajah was granted with the estate civil and criminal powers by the Nizam's Government as were formerly enjoyed by his ancestors. He is empowered to sentence offenders to three years' rigorous imprisonment, to fine up to one thousand rupees, and to award thirty stripes. He has unlimited powers in civil cases, and could try suits for any amount. Besides these powers the Rajah is given permission to keep his own Police, maintain a Registration Department, and issue separate stamps for use in his dominions. The Rajah still claims the remainder of the estate, which the usurious sowcar had managed to obtain. His Highness the Nizam has the highest respect for the Rajah Sahib, and on every important state occasion he is invited and his nazar accepted. He is honored by presents of costly apparel and jewel by His Highness. On the occasion of the installation of the Nizam in 1886, the Rajah's nazars were accepted, and he was presented the usual khillat (paga, sallas, a hlieenkhahtan, a pair of yellow shawls) and jewels (a diamond kalaggee, sarpaish, a diamond garland, and a pair of diamond dast bands). The Rajah Sahib has also the privilege of offering nazars in marriage and other important occasions.
The state was owned in the beginning by the Mutyala Family, and Mutyala Aswa Rao is reckoned as the first of the line of Rajahs that had been enjoying the Zemindari from time to time. The Zemindari was then taken possession of by force, and successively held by the Jalagam, Tandra, Settipalli, Kandimandla and Damara families. Damara Aswarao adopted a son from Kandimandla family, and in the dispute between these two families for the Zemindari and the adoption, it was finally settled by the Government by arbitration, that the Zemindari should belong to the Damara Family. The last surviving male member of the Damara Family died a bachelor leaving his mother and a married sister, and the Zemindari consequently reverted to his aged mother, Ranee Lakshmeenarasamma Rao, the grandmother of Rajah Parthasarathy Appa Rao Bahadur. On the death of the Ranee, Rajah Parthasarathy Appa Rao Bahadur, who is her daughter's son Dawhitra became the heir to the Zemindari according to Hindu Law of Inheritance, and has been in possession and enjoyment of the same.
Sri Rajah Narayya Appa Rao Bahadur,
Sri Rajah Venkatramayya Appa Rao Bahadur,
and
H. H. Sri Rajah of Palavancha and Bhadrachalam.
The Rajah Sahib has married one of the daughters of the Rajah of Mylavaram, in the Krishna District and the result of the union is four sons and one daughter, of whom only two are now alive. The elder Sri Rajah Narayya Appa Rao Bahadur has married the second daughter of the Kumara Rajah of Pittapur, and the younger Rajah Venkatramayya Appa Rao Bahadur is a student.
The Rajah Sahib has established a hospital at Buragammala Padu, his present head quarters, and has secured the services of a competent medical officer, and has also employed a vaccinator. The instruments are kept in very good order, and there is an ample supply of good medicines. He has established a Telugu and English school with a good staff of teachers.
The police department is every thing that could be desired under the able supervision of a Munthazam, who is a retired officer of much experience having been in the British police for a long time.
The Rajah Sahib has secured the services of an armourer, who was once in the British service and has since retired, and whose work is to keep in good order the muskets belonging to the police, and those of the Rajah, Sahib, and also to manufacture such as will be necessary for both.
He has sunk wells for the use of his ryots and has also made new roads. He lately introduced a sugarcane plantation in the Palavancha estate. He has also repaired a number of tanks and wells. The Rajah Sahib personally disposes of the civil and criminal cases; but when he goes on circuit, his assistants under his orders hear them. The laws in vogue are similar to those observed in British territories.
Whenever the Rajah Sahib proceeds to Hyderabad, His Highness the Nizam's Government receive him with marked respect by furnishing him with a body guard, a state carriage, and an elephant with amari.
The Rajah Sahib shortly expects from H. H. the Nizam Subadar powers which his ancestors had exercised and also the dharmakartha powers of the Sri Bhadrachalam temple at Bhadrachalam.
From what has been said of the Rajah Sahib it is patent that he is a member of one of the most ancient and well-known families of Southern India. He enjoys the highest titles conferred on his ancestors by the Moghul Emperor, and he is today honored and respected by His Highness the Nizam; but it is to be regretted that the Government of India has not as yet conferred on him any distinction while others who are lower in the social scale have been honored in various ways. By his deeds the Rajah Sahib has proved himself very useful to his ryots and also to the public at large. This is the only Zemindar in Northern Circars who has civil and criminal powers, and whose claims to recognition seem to have been neglected.
Those who know the Rajah Sahib personally, can bear testimony to the fact that he is simple, polite and generous. He is kind to all; he treats the rich and the poor alike. He is very religious but not bigoted. As we have said, he is a member of one of the most ancient families of Southern India holding a permanent sunnud from H. H. the Nizam of Hyderabad, but he has not received one for the Bhadrachalam estate from the British Government, though other Zemindars hold permanent sunnuds in accordance with Regulation 25 of 1802. He is a great lover of justice, and since the time he took possession of the estate, no one could reproach him with a single act of injustice. The high spirited nobleman has done much to ameliorate the condition of his ryots, and moving in the best of societies in Northern Circars and in Hyderabad he has become the great ornament of his court, the prime mover of wise counsels, and the helper of all useful institutions.