History and Contribution of the Zamindars in Visakhapatnam Region Ad 1611-1949

Preface

In the following pages, an attempt is made to reconstruct the history and contribution of the zamindars in the Visakhapatnam region. This subject still remains largely a virgin field. From the last few decades the focus of interest of researchers has been clearly on studies related to the personalities, struggle for freedom and different movements related to socio-economic aspects of particular regions. The role of the elite and sub-altern classes in those movements and struggles have been no doubt covered in such studies. But there are some aspects which have not completely drawn the attention of the scholars, or some of them need further study in the light of new focus on the source materials as well as in the shift in the ideologies. The province of Visakhapatnam deserves special study as it acted as a link between two different politico-cultural zones, viz., Andhra and Orissa. Even from the early historical periods it shows its unique nature and significance as evident from a number of sources. Later, it became a centre of political activity and turned as a buffer zone between different political powers in different centuries. In the late medieval period, which is during the advent of the Muslims as well as Europeans into this land, it came into the authority of the local chiefs and zamindars. They dominated administratively and strengthened themselves. It is interesting to know that out of the four hundred and forty eight zamindaris in Andhra, more than fifty two zamindaris are located in the then Visakhapatnam District.

As a link between medieval and modern periods, some of the families traced their origin from the earliest centuries and gradually evolved as local fiefs and zamindars in this province. Under different circumstances in different periods they received land chief either from10

History and Contribution of the Zamindars… the Sultans of Golkonda or from the ruling chiefs of Orissa. As this ruling families and zamindars connected themselves and stated their area is geographically a link between Andhra and Orissa, different lineages either from the Orissan Chiefs or from the Sultans of Golkonda who expanded their territories eastwards. The zamindar is of the Kakarlapudis of Anakapalli, the Pusapatis of Vizianagaram, etc., were established under the Sultans of Golkonda, where as the zamindaris of Madugula, Golugonda and Gudem were established under the authority of the Orissan chiefs. In addition to the above two, some of the The Gode zamindars showed their thorough impact on the areas of zamindaris originated under the rule of English East India Company. Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli emerged as zamindars under English East India Company. Thus began zamindari families exercised their authority in this Visakhapatnam area for certain period and showed their impact on this province.

So far, no considerable effort has been made to study the history and contribution of those zamindari families of this area. No doubt, some scholars like A. Vadivelu, G.R. Varma, M.S.R. Anjaneyulu, Y. Sudershan Rao, T.S.N. Murthi, and T. Donappa attempted to study some aspects related to the above zamindars. But the objectives of their work were entirely different, and only sketch of some of the families were found in them rather than a detailed discussion of problems in their study. Great is my debt to the authors of those works. who enriched the subject.roderi M.S.R. Anjaneyulu touched upon this subject in his monograph Vizagapatam District (1769-1834). But as Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiya noticed, M.S.R. Anjaneyulu used the sources only for the purpose of delimiting the relations between the Company and the zamindars. But they deserve to be studied for the light they have thrown on the socio- economic and religio-cultural conditions of the zamindari period in this province. More or less same is the case with the work of Y. Sudershan Rao Andhra Between the Empires. The objective of those works is different and hence not covered the history and contribution of these zamindars.

In fact, this is a study of the transition of a polity, which was essentially medieval in character to what may be called a modern polity. The Nizam who claimed sovereignty over the Northern Sircars of whichthe area under study was a part, was not in a position to exercise control over the zamindars who fought among themselves and allowed them to act accordingly in various matters. The primary duty of the maintenance of law and order was also neglected which resulted in chaos and anarchy. When the central authority became very weak, naturally the local representatives exercise their powers, which favoured the French and the British to intervene into the political affairs of this province. The French were the first to gain political ascendency over the Nizam; but later the English due to their various resources ousted the French and established themselves in power over the sircars of by A.D. 1769, with the kind support of the Pusapatis of this province.

The English Company came from a country whose political culture was entirely different from that of this part of India during that period. Until then, they witnessed in England the passing away completely of the decentralised political culture of the middle-ages, and the rise of modern centralised political culture. It was with this new tradition of centralised political culture, East India Company tried to exercise their authority, which was naturally resented by the zamindars.

The zamindars in general, of this province in particular wished to deal with the Company in the same manner as they dealt with the Nizam earlier. But the limited resources of the zamindars were not enough to control the Company. The Company put down with a high hand all the rebellious zamindars. With the introduction of new administrative policies for agency and plains, to the maximum extent, administration was systematised and modernised.

The micro-level political analysis of the Visakhapatnam region during the troubled period between the fading away of the Muslim power and the emerging as well as established British power became a necessary requisite to understand the political dynamics of the British diplomacy. Evidently, this was the significant region to put up resistance to the expansion and consolidation of the British authority both from the petty tribal chiefs as well as zamindars. This region eventually suffered the British Rule for the longest period in our country. Again this region was first to react favourably to the impact of Western culture and ideas through its social reform. The present Visakhapatnam, the significant city of this region is referred to as Visakhapatnam, Kulottunga – Cholapatam, Vizag, Waltair etc., in different phases oftion of the Zamindars history. But for convenience in the study, the name Visakhapatnam is used throughout. The subject matter is divided into six chapters. physiological and historical information of the province. Origin, growth Chapter I deals with the Introduction, source materials, and development of the zamindari system in the Muslim and European periods is discussed in this chapter. Various sources that deal with the History, Socio-Economic as well as Religio-Cultural aspects of the period are focussed in this. The literature, that produced and patronised by the zamindars, village kaifiyats and the European sources are utilised to the maximum possible extent. The data of the few inscriptions issued by the family members of the zamindars at places like Simhachalam, and Visakhapatnam are also utilised in interpreting the facts. The construction activity as well as the endowments by those families are also utilised to the suitable extent.

This chapter also deals with the geography, climate, nature of the soil, ranges of mountains, rainfall rate, river systems and tanks that irrigate the plain lands of this province. The political antecedents that witnessed by this province in the ancient and medieval times are briefly touched upon in this context. Begin with the Satavahana power, in different centuries how a number of ruling dynasties showed their impact on this province, and how they left their traces in this tract, is briefly narrated in this chapter. Growth of different religious ideologies and their important worshipping centres in this area are also recollected in this context. Significant religious monuments of different faiths like Bojjannakondalu and Simhachalam comes under this study.

Chapter – II is the study on the history of the zamindaris that existed in the province of Visakhapatnam at different stages of time. Begin with the advent of the Qutb Sahis of Golkonda, until the abolition of the Zamindari Act, the history of the ruling chiefs, zamindars, estatedars, and Muttadars that exercised their authority in this province is elaborately discussed in this chapter. The entry of the Kakarlapudi family into these areas as military officers (Payaks) under the Qutb Shahis, their political activity at places like Anakapalli and Satyavaram, their cordial as well as hostile relations with the contemporary powerful Pusapati chiefs, hill zamindars and the English Company are discussed in detail. The Bhupathi families at Madugula, Golugonda and Gudem located in the hill regions of this province, which got those estates Preface through the Chiefs of Orissa played a significant role in creating troubles to the Company Government and its allies like Pusapatis. Such revolts which continued for years together created a lot of troubles to the Company Government, and all such revolts are incorporated in this chapter. The Gode and Ankitam families which showed their thorough impact for generations together on this province in general and on Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli estates in particular, is highlighted in this chapter. The Western education, Western scientific outlook of those families made them different from the other zamindars; and that factor made them closer to the English people and English Company. The important major Zamindari of the Pusapatis which originally belongs to Vizianagaram thoroughly extended their authority in the entire Province and their activities in controlling the remaining zamindaris, is also discussed in this chapter. Besides, a number of small zamindaris like those located at places like Kasimkota, Uratla, Kondakarla, Melipaka, Barnikam, Rayavaram, etc., are also discussed in this chapter.

Chapter – III deals with the inter-relations of the zamindars in the Visakhapatnam province. The friendly as well as the hostile relations that have taken place in between the various zamindars is the subject matter of this chapter. Owing to their personal causes some zamindari families either supported or joined hands with the English authority under certain circumstances and as a result they were forced to fight against the rebellious zamindars. This instance can be seen in the English-Pusapati alliance in suppressing the rebellious zamindari families like the Bhupathis of Madugula, Golugonda, Gudem and Kakarlapudis of Anakapalli. Under certain circumstances, some of the zamindars of this province joined hands either in protesting the Sultans of Golkonda, or the French. In the changing circumstances, to protect the interests of their zamindaris, how they acted accordingly is studied in this chapter. The treacherous acts of treatments or punishments levied on such rebellious zamindars or chiefs who challenged the English Company, is discussed in this context.

Chapter – IV is a discussion on the society and economy under the zamindaris in the area under study. Social aspects like upon education, customs and other allied items are briefly touched this context. Various other charities like the establishment of choultries. poor feeding houses, hospitals, establishment of highest seat of TS.

learnings like college and university is focused. Interestingly, the establishment of Astronomical Observatory which is equipped with all types of modern tools of the then times at Visakhapatnam, under the Gode and Ankitam families is highlighted in this chapter. Position of agriculture, new methods of agriculture, introduction of new varieties of crops, growth in the rate of production of commercial crops etc.. are discussed in this context. Promotion of irrigation facilities, construction of the canals and tanks etc., are also appended in this chapter. Land tenures, Haveli lands, Srotriams, Kowle lands, peasant problems and implementation of Permanent Land Revenue settlement in these areas are focussed in this context. Problems of agriculture droughts and famines, relief measures, etc., are also discussed here. Different crafts, small scale industries like toys of Etikoppaka and large scale industries like sugar, salt, jute, trade and commerce, transport, ports at places like Visakhapatnam, Bhimilipatnam, etc. are briefly focussed in this chapter.

Chapter – V is a discussion on religo-cultural conditions. Construction and patronage of different temples that belongs to different faiths, charities and constructions, tutillary deities like Niukalamma, and Sattemma of the Kakarlapudis, Modakondamma of the tribal chiefs. etc., are discussed in this context. Grants and donations issued by some of the zamindari family members are brought to light in this chapter by utilising the inscriptional data at places like Simhachalam.

Chapter- VI is a study on the patronage of the zamindars towards literature. Some of the zamindars as well as their family members are poets and enriched literature by their contributions. Besides they patronaged and encouraged a number of poets and scholars, who composed vast literature in different types and styles. Bhupathi Zamindari at Madugula and Gode Zamindari at Visakhapatnam became very familiar for their liberal patronage. They have donated largely for the promotion of literature both of Sanskrit and Telugu. It is interesting to note that some of the ladies of these zamindari families produced more than a number of works. A number of Satakas, devotional songs, puranic stories and dandakas were composed under these zamindars. As this is the period of gradual expansion of Christianity the efforts of the missionaries in promoting literature for their religious purpose is also included in this.

Conclusion is the sum-up of the entire date discussed in the earlier chapters.

I wish to express my deep sense of gratitude to my teacher and research supervisor, Dr Kolluru Suryanarayana, Professor, Department of History and Archaeology, whose constant encouragement, useful suggestions and guidance played the most important role in the completion of the present work. He has kindly placed at my disposal his personal library for my use.

I am grateful to Professor M. Krishna Kumari, former Head of the Department of History and Archaeology, Andhra University and to Professor P. Sivunnaidu, present Head of the Department for the encouragement and parental care they have taken in providing various facilities during the period of my research.

I am also obliged to Dr A.V.D. Sharma, Rector, MANSAS, Vizianagaram, for providing a number of important books and other information for my purpose.

I am grateful to Professor S. Girija, Chairman Board of studies and to all the staff members in the Department of History and Archaeology, for their valuable suggestions during the period of my research.

I also express my earnest thanks to Professor C. Somasundara Rao, former Professor in the Department of History and Archaeology. for his valuable help and suggestions at various stages of this work. I am thankful to Mr K. Narayana Kiran for his help at the typing stage of this work. I am obliged to the University authorities for providing all facilities for my research work.

I am extremely thankful to the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi, for providing Junior Research Fellowship, during the tenure of my research. I am thankful to many institutions for permitting me to consult their libraries; The Librarian, Dr V.S. Krishna Memorial Library, Andhra University, Waltair; Assistant Director, Regional Office of A.P. State Archives, Visakhapatnam; Director, A.P. State Archives, Hyderabad; Director, Tamil Nadu State Archives, Chennai; The Librarians of the Libraries at places like Vetapalem, Kumudavalli and Anakapalli. Indars me to utilise their personal libraries. I extend my heartfelt regards to I am also thankful to a number of scholars and elders who permitted my father late Sri Badarala Durga Rao, who encouraged and initiated me into the field of research in History.

Finally, I acknowledged the services of Sri Malisetty Suri Babu and of Sri Madabathula Appa Rao, who typed this thesis neatly with utmost care and responsibility.

Ugadi Nandana

Anjani Kumari