6
with the title of Vyavahartta, manager of the estate
of lvesavarama Raya Chaudhri, the minor Zamindar
of Pargana Muragacha.
On the death of Rukmini Kanta, his eldest son, Rameswara Yyavahartta, was recognized as his successor, but as he made the Pargana yield to the Nawab a larger revenue than what had been derived from it under former settlements, Kesavarama was so incensed against Rameswara that when he came of age, he confined him as a prisoner in his house.
Rameswara had six sons, of whom Ramacharana Deva, the second, proceeded to Murshedabad, introduced himself to the then Raya-Rayan Chain Raya, and offered to increase the revenue of Pargana Muragacha to 50,000 Rs.; whereupon, having been appointed Ohdahdar (Commissioner) of Revenue of the Pargana, he released his father from confinement and revenged himself upon Kesavarama by imprisoning him in his turn.
Ramacharana quitted his abode in Muragacha, and built a house in Govindapura, the sife of the present Fort William: where, having left his family, he again presented himself to the Nawab Mahabat Jang, who appointed him Salt-Agent and Collector of Hijli, Tamlok, Mahishadal, &c., in which capacity he discharged his duties so satisfactorily that he was soon after rewarded with a very high and honorable situation.
About this time Maniruddin Khan, having quarrelled with his brother, the Suhahdar of Arcot, arrived at Murshedabad, where Nawab Mahabat Jang gave him a respectful reception, and appointed him Subahdar, and Ramacharana Pewan, of the Province of Catak, and sent them with a considerable force to oppose a Marhatta incursion. Starting from Medi- nipura, as they marched towards Catak, they left their army far behind, and were attended only by a small number of their retinuo, when a band of Pin-
