Vizagapatam/Gazetteer/Sarvasiddhi Taluk
SARVASIDDHI TALUK.
This lies along the Bay in the southernmost corner of the district. In general aspect its interior resembles the other coastal areas, but along the shore are several saltish swamps and the coast line itself is diversified with picturesque headlands. It is one of the three Government taluks and comprises a large extent of rich wet land under the Varáha and Sárada rivers. Its rainfall, however, is the lowest in the district. Statistics regarding Sarvasiddhi will be found in the separate Appendix. The following are the more interesting places in it:- —
Dimila : A village of 2,944 inhabitants 2½ miles south by east of Yellamanchili. It was once of much more importance than now, and seems, from a copper plate grant found at Chipurupalle in 1867 (see J.A.S.B., xxxix, 153-8) to have been the chief town of a district. The village temple, an unpretentious building, is dedicated to Siva in the uncommon form Nagnésvara, or 'the naked.' The story goes that the rishi Agastya was unable, to his great grief, to be present at the marriage of Siva with Párvati, and that the former accordingly promised to appear before him with his bride whenever he wished it. Agastya expressed the wash at a moment when neither of them had any clothes on, but they appeared none the less just as they were, and the temple was erected to commemorate the event.
Gópálapatnam : A village of 781 souls in the south of the taluk, two miles from the coast and close under the block of hills known as Sudikonda. On the top of these hills is a spring called the Kási bugga, in which the devout bathe at Sivarátri and the water of which is believed to be very efficacious in curing blighted crops. Near another pool close by is a little shrine in which are two slabs bearing Telugu inscriptions and scattered round about which are a number of fragments of sculptures, among them a spirited representation of Káli slaying the buffalo-demon Mahishásura. Not far off is a tiny circular shrine cut out of the rock. The place thus seems once to have been of religious importance, and several legends still cluster about it.
Nakkapalli : Fourteen miles south-west of Yellamanchili, on the trunk road; population, 2,459. In pre-railway days it was an important halting-place, as its neglected encamping-ground for troops and its large chattram show. The old travellers' bungalow has been turned into a dispensary. The industries of the place are the weaving of coarse white cloths by a number of Padma Sáles and the making, by one family of Kamsális, of lacquered toys (unusually well finished and prettily coloured) on a lathe in the ordinary manner.
The proprietary estate which is named after the village has already been referred to on p. 221 above.
A quarter of a mile to the south of the village is the agraháram of Upmáka, on a hill near which is a well-known shrine to Venkatésvara, the famous god of Tirupati in North Arcot, This is approached by 295 steps and consists of a kind of grotto, partly formed by two enormous overhanging masses of rock, on the wall of which is rudely chased a representation of the deity. Another temple to the same god stands at the foot of the hill. At the celebration of the god's marriage, in March, huge crowds assemble from all over the Northern Circars.
Panchadhárala : Seven miles in a direct line north-east of Sarvasiddhi and about fifteen by road from Anakápalle; population, 2,284. The name means 'five fountains' and is derived from five jets of water fed by a perennial natural spring which are to be found in a paved enclosure to the south of the Siva temple. Close by these is a lingam on which are carved 1,020 other lingams in 12 rows of 85 each, and which is inconsequently known as the kótilingam, or 'crore of lingams.' The temple itself is not wonderful architecturally, but on the pillars of the mandapams within it are several inscriptions of historical interest, two of them (dated in years corresponding to A.D. 1407 and 1428, respectively) giving a genealogy of a branch of the Eastern Chálukya kings. Further particulars appear in paragraph 41 of the Government Epigraphist's report for 1899-1900.
Panchadhárala once gave its name to one of the estates which were formed out of the havili lands and put up to auction at a fixed assessment in 1802. But subsequently, on the discovery being made that it and some of the villages adjoining were really within the ancient limits of the Vizianagram zamindari, they were transferred thereto and the estate was named Chipurupalle, after the most central of the villages remaining. This property, which comprised 24 villages, was bought at the auction by the Rája of Vizianagram. Subdivision after subdivision followed; fifteen of the villages were bought in by Government at sales for arrears; and the remaining nine now form no less than eight proprietary estates, namely, Bharinikam, Chipurupalle, Idulapáka-Bónangi and Ráváda in Anakápalle taluk, Mámidiváda in Sarvasiddhi, and Appikonda, Kúráda-Kondayyavalasa and Siddhésvaram in Vizagapatam. The history of Bharinikam has been referred to on p. 221 above. Except Mámidiváda (the story of which is given on p. 223) the other seven were bought in 1812 by Gangabattulu Sámayya. Chípurupalle itself (which should not be confused with the place which is the head-quarters of the Chípurupalle taluk) consists of the village of that name and was bought by Garuda Sanyási Chetti in 1825. It was sold by him in 1844 to Jagga Rao of the Godé family, on whose death it passed to his son Venkata Náráyana Rao, The latter died without male issue in 1882 and the estate came under the Court of Wards. In 1895 the widow adopted her daughter's son, Venkata Náráyana Rao, who is now the minor proprietor and comes of age in 1908.
Idulapáka-Bónangi, which consists of two villages, was sold by the above-mentioned Gangabattulu Sámayya in 1820 to Vasanta Rao Lakshmináráyana Rao, a Bráhman, whose son Bayanna transferred it to his brother Achyuta Narasinga Rao in 1863 in accordance with a razinama in a suit. On the death of the latter in 1891, his five sons became the proprietors.
Ravada was sold by Samayya's family in 1820 to Datla Venkatapati Razu, who sold it in 1821 to Vasanta Rao Ananta Rao. He disposed of it to the Bobbili estate in 1832, but the above Bayanna bought it back in 1847. He died in 1869 and the property was under the Court of Wards during the minority of his son, the present proprietor, Lakshmináráyana Rao.
Appikonda was transferred as a gift by Gangabattulu Sámayya to Gangabattulu Rájanna in 1821, The latter was succeeded in 1856 by his minor son G. Sattayya, who died in 1870 and was followed by his widow Sattaiyamma. The property was subsequently sold to a Bráhman, Mindi Vásudéva Rao, who had made a fortune out of abkári contracts. He died in 1886 and his three sons (Rámayógi, Rámachendrudu and Subrahmanyam) are now the joint proprietors.
Kúráda-Kondayyavalasa was sold by Sámayya in 1820 to N.Venkanna and D. Venkanna, the latter of whom transferred it in the year following to Dátla Venkatapati Rázu, who sold it again the same year to Vasanta Rao Ananta Rao. Like Ráváda, it was sold in 1832 to the Rája of Bobbili and bought back in 1847 by Bayanna, who in 1850 sold it to C. V. Narasinga Rao, Perike Kshatriya by caste. The latter's son, Rájagópál Rao, and afterwards this son's daughter, Atti Chellayyamma the present proprietrix, followed as owners of the property.
The last of the eight estates, Siddhésvaram, was sold, with Idulapáka-Bónangi, in 1820 to V. R. Lakshmináráyana Rao, whose son Bayanna followed him. In 1864 his brother, Achyuta Narasinga Rao, bought it in public auction, and in the following year he sold it to Erramilli Mallikárjuna Rao. another Bráhman. The latter died in 1881 and his maternal grandson, Chatrázu Mallikárjuna Rao, whom he had adopted, is now the proprietor.
Páyakaraopéta : Contains 2,688 inhabitants and stands on the trunk road just where it leaves the district and on the bank of the Tándava stream opposite Tuni village in Gódávari. It contains a fine, but neglected, encamping ground for troops and is known (see p. 123) for its weaving.
Tradition has it that the man from whom the place is named was one Kákarlapudi Appala Rázu of Chandanádu in this taluk, who was granted, for services at Hyderabad, the title of Páyaka Rao, or 'foremost in battle, and the estates of Anakápalle and Satyavaram in this taluk.The fort and its two temples at the former place (see p. 219) are said to have been built by him.Mr. G. E. Russell says 1[1] that a descendant of his of the same name, who was still in possession of these properties when the English acquired the district, died in 1776 without lineal descendants but leaving a widow and a widowed mother. The estates were consequently made over to the then Rája of Vizianagram on condition of his paying Rs. 90,000 more peshkash and Rs. 10,000 annually for the maintenance of tho widows.
One of these ladies died in 1804 and the other in 1814. The friends of the latter declared that she had adopted a son, but Government had evidence of her mental incapacity to do any such thing and discontinued the maintenance. In January 1832, Jagannátha Rázu, a cousin of the boy who was supposed to have been adopted, appeared at the head of a large body of armed followers assumed the title of Páyaka Rao, and began committing depredations. His ostensible grievance was the discontinuance of the maintenance, but in reality he was merely the puppet of Náganna Dora, díwán to the zamindar of Golgonda, a doublefaced scamp who had long fomented risings against the Government while vehemently protesting all the time his unswerving loyalty. This rascal eventually, it may here be noted, met with a dramatic end.2[2] He had betrayed to Government a companion of Páyaka Rao's called Venkatapati Rázu, and the man was tried and duly hanged. Two of his friends, however, broke into Náganna's house one night soon afterwards, woke him by shouts of ' Venkatapati Rázu has come back!', smote off his head and affixed it to the very gibbet from which Venkatapati's body was still swinging. Soon after Mr. Russell appeared upon the scene in 1833 (see p. 57), Páyaka Rao disappeared, going, it was supposed, into the Nizam's country. But in 1834 he returned 1[3] at the head of a party of adventurers. Troops were sent after him; he fled to Rampa in Gódávari; the chief there gave him up; he was hanged in Páyakaraopéta on the river-bank; and his body, after the fashion of those times, was suspended in an iron cage on a gibbet there and left to moulder away. Forty years later 2[4] his skull and a bone or two still remained, but the masonry foundation is all that is now left of the gibbet. Among the villagers the spot goes by the suggestive name of 'Páyaka Rao's slip-knot post.'
Pentakóta: Lies at the mouth of the Tándava stream near the southern extremity of the taluk and district; population 1,646. Contains the remains of the fort after which it is named and a considerable mosque. Was once a salt-factory and port. The latter, though unsafe in the south-west rains, was sheltered during the north-east monsoon and formerly did a considerable export trade at that season. It (and also Púdimadaka) was closed to regular trade in 1881 for the curious reason that it was too far from Vizagapatam and Cocanada for the European merchants to be able personally to supervise exportation, which resulted in the native contractors so adulterating the exports that the shippers incurred heavy losses.
Púdimadaka: Fourteen miles south of Anakápalle by a metalled road; population l,816. Was formerly a port, but was closed at the same time, and for the same reason, as Pentakóta (q.v.). It has been described as 'one of the safest ports on the coast of Orissa' — a ledge of rocks, terminating in the conspicuous landmark called the Pillar Rock, running out seawards to the south of it into five fathoms of water and efficiently protecting shipping during the south-west monsoon.
Ráyavaram: Eight miles south-west of Yellamanchili, population 2,625. Was formerly the station of the district munsif who now sits at Yellamanchili. Is said to be named after king Krishna Déva of Vijayanagar, who is supposed to have halted here during his expedition against Orissa about 1515 and to have recorded his victories on the big slab known as the ráchabanda, or 'king's slab,' which still lies in the market place.
The Village formerly gave its name to one of the hundas or properties which were formed in 1802 (see p. 170) out of the havíli land and put up to auction as permanently-settled estates. This was then bought by the Rája of Vizianagram, who in 1810, says Mr. Carmichael, sold it to Sági Rámachandra Rázu, his maternal aunt's husband. In 1815 it was attached for arrears and was purchased by Godé Súrya Náráyana Rao (see p. 219)for Rs. 40,500. The constant irrigation disputes between the ryots of Ráyavaram and those of the lapsed hunds of Sarvasiddhi rendered this gentleman's position extremely unpleasant, and in 1844 he resold the property to Government, who still own it, for Rs. 30,000.
Sarvasiddhi: Lies 5½ miles south-south-west of Yellamanchili and now contains only 1,015 people. It was, however, the head-quarters of the taluk up to 1861, and in days gone by was apparently of considerable importance, tradition declaring that it was one of the seats of the Golla kings (see p. 28) who ruled in these parts. Bricks of the large kind used in ancient buildings are constantly dug up in its fields.
The place was the chief village of another of the hundas just referred to which were formed in 1802. Like Ráyavaram,this was purchased in that year by the Rája and sold in 1810 to S. Rámachandra Rázu. His son fell into arrears, and in 1831 the property was bought in by Government at auction. It has since remained Government land.
Uppalam (or Pedda Uppalam): Nine miles south-west of Yellamanchili, population 2,649. Planted in the ground near the Mála quarter here is a most curious stone, roughly cylindrical,about 3 feet in diameter and 6 feet high. It does not appear to be a piece of rock in situ, but the villagers on one occasion failed to reach the bottom of it though they dug with energy throughout a whole day. It is called 'Bhimas club', and there is a local tale to account for it. Near here, says this story, lived once upon a time a demon named Bakásura, who had to be propitiated by a daily meal of human flesh. One day it fell to the lot of a youth who was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, to furnish the monster's breakfast. Bhíma the Terrible chanced to hear of this and volunteered to go instead. He was late, and the demon angrily demanded the reason and called fora twig wherewith to clean his teeth. Bhíma in reply pulled up a palmyra tree and tossed it over to him, whereon the amazed monster took to his heels. Bhíma pursued him, flung his club at him (this stuck in the ground where it still rests) and at last ran him to ground in the cave still to be seen in the ' Quoin rock 'at Pólavaram (a hamlet of Uppalam) which juts out into the sea and is washed by the waves. Dragging him out by the nose, Bhíma there slew him.
Pólavaram contains a salt-factory (see p. 183) and was once a port. This latter was closed in 1863 as its trade was insignificant. Vátáda (alias Révu vátáda): Now a hamlet of Vákapádu but better known formerly. It lies on the coast at the point where the Sárada and Varáha rivers unite and enter the sea. It used to be a port, but this was closed at the same time, and for the same reasons, as Pólavaram.
Yellamanchili: Head-quarters of the taluk and a union of 6,536 inhabitants; contains a railway-station, a district munsif's court, a station of the Canadian Baptist Mission and a travellers' bungalow. Dominating the whole place rises a hill on the top of which are many broken stones and bricks of the ancient pattern, and — a landmark for miles round — the two stone posts and lintel of a doorway. These are locally declared to be the remains of a palace and fort of the Golla kings and the hill is called Núki Pápa's hillock after, it is said, the sister of one of these rulers. On this hill two lots of ancient coins have been found. Mr. Sewell1[5] says the first find was made in 1863 and consisted of cast copper coins bearing the device of a bull couchant and the legend Sri Chanda Dé (va). The second find was in 1895 and comprised a number of copper coins identified by Dr. Hultzsch as being those of the Eastern Chálukya king Vishnuvardhana (A.D. 663-72).2[6] That the place was anciently of much importance is shown by the fact that whenever any considerable excavations are made the ruins of old temples and buildings are unearthed.
Close under the south face of Núki Pápa's hillock is the shrine to the village goddess, Rámachandramma. She is declared to appear to her worshippers at her annual festival (when a buffalo is sacrificed to her) in the form of flashes of lightning in the sky. Paiditalli of Mámidiváda does the same.
Yellamanchili lies on the trunk road and the spacious military encamping-ground (still called by the natives 'the cantonment') shows that it was once an important halting-station. On one side of this stand the taluk office and the bomb-proof hospital, formerly a travellers' bungalow. Near one corner of it is the shrine of Achayamma Pérantalu, which affords a good instance of the genesis of local deities and their shrines. Achayamma, a Kápu woman, committed sati on this spot some 60 years ago (her sister is still alive) and the reverence which would in any case have been paid to the place in consequence was increased a hundred-fold by the eventual appearance of an ant-hill over it. The hill was duly protected by a small thatched building; and now an annual festival is held, vows are paid to the lady, and her resting-place is covered with ex roto offerings.
- ↑ 1 Paragraph 6 of his report of 18th November 1834 printed in Vol. I of No. XXIV of the Selections from the Madras Records (Madras, 1856).
- ↑ 2 See the Asiatic Journal, 1833, xii, 172 ff.
- ↑ 1 Mr. Russell's report cited, paragraph 78.
- ↑ 2 General Burton's An Indian Olio, 323.
- ↑ 1 Lists of Antiquities, i, 18.
- ↑ 2 G.O., 454, Educational, dated 1st August 1896.