The Aristocracy of Southern India/Chapter 8
Rai Bahadur K. Jagannadha Chettiar.
Sri Rajah Jagavira Rama Ettapa Nayaker Bahadur.
SRI RAJAH JAGAVIRA RAMA VENKATESWARA ETTAPPA
NAYAKAR BAHADUR, ZEMINDAR OF ETAIYAPURAM
(TINNEVELLY DISTRICT).
The Zemindar of Etaiyapuram, who belongs to the ancient stock of a Hindu family that furnished to the country warriors and statesmen, has inherited all the noble and generous qualities that characterised his ancestors, and is now in the highest estimation of the Government of Madras; and, as his sentiments are guided by justice and moderation, he is most loved by his ryots.
The ancient Zemindari of Ettayapuram consists at present of Ettayapuram proper, Nagalapuram, Golwarpati, part of Elayarampannai, and Sundarapachayapuram, in the Tinnevelly District, and Vallanadhi Division of the Gandamanaickanoor Zemindari in the Madura District, purchased by the Court of Wards in 1896.
The total area of the Zemindari is 647 square miles or 415,428 acres approximately; of this extent, the cultivable area is 374,441 acres, and the rest consists of waste lands, and hill and forest tracts.
The nature of the soil is rich black cotton interspersed with red loam here and there. The approximate annual revenue is 415,000 Es. and the annual Peishcush is Rs. 135,000 The chief crops are cotton, cumbu, and cholam. Out of 60 lakhs worth of cotton annually grown in the Tinnevelly District, 30 lakhs worth is grown in the Zemindari.
The hill and forest tracts are game preserves. The greatest and most important of them is the Kurumalai reserve, nearly 3 miles east of the Kumarapuram station of the South Indian Railway. The game preserved consists of deer, antelope, hare, and wild boar. They are preserved chiefly with a view to afford sports to gentlemen visitors, majority of whom are European Officers of rank in the service of His Majesty's Government. The South Indian Railway skirts the Zemindari. The nearest Railway station is Koilpati Vhich is nine miles west of Ettayapuram and which is connected with it by a metalled road.
Tradition says, and there are also records to show, that the ancestors of the Zemindar of Etaiyapuram were at Chandragiri, being in possession of territories adjacent to it. The first of those prominent among them was Periappa Nayakar who flourished in 856 A. D. Nine generations passed away without any member in the family doing anything worthy of record.
The tenth in succession was Nallama Nayakar, who was distinguished for his prowess and adventurous career. He had a great desire to proceed to Vijianagram, which was then in the height of its glory and to pay a visit to the Rajah, but one thing that stood in his way before venturing to pass the gates of the fort to interview the Kajah was that he should choose one of the two alternatives—either he should wrestle with a powerful man, named Soman, and overcome him, or pass underneath the gold chain that Soman had attached to his left leg. Nallama Nayakar whose body was of a colossal build chose the former alternative, and in the combat he came off victorious, and beheaded Soman. The eight brothers of the gate-keeper threw themselves on the mercy of Nallama Nayakar and sought his protection. He fixed the head of Soman to a spear, and his garments stained with blood to the point of a lance, and with these things presented himself before the King, who, admiring the valour of Nallama Nayakar welcomed him to his court, and presented him with a gold head to be worn as a badge on his left leg, and allowed him to use the blood-stained cloth as a banneret. To commemorate the fact of his having spared the lives of the eight brothers of Soman, the King conferred on Nallama Nayakar the title of Ettappan (meaning father of eight), and also presented him with two state fans, besides lands and villages. By the special order of the King, Nallama Nayakar was taken round in procession before he left the place. From that time forward the appellation "Ettapan" has been used by all the successive Zemindars of Etaiyapuram. The gold head, on the occasion of the installation ceremony, is tied to the left leg of the installed Zemindar by the descendants of Soman referred to above, and the blood-stained banneret is also carried.
Kumara Muttu Ettappa Nayakar, the fourteenth in descent, migrated to Madura with a number of his kinsmen owing to disturbances and insurrections by Mahomed Alaudin, and paid his respects to Adi Vira Parakrama Pandian, the Rajah of Madura, who, on hearing the antecedents and noble ancestry of Kumara Muttu Ettappa Nayakar granted him and also his followers extensive lands and villages, such as Anaiyur and Karukotanpatti, and they settled down there. Kumara Muttu Ettappa Nayakar brought order out of the chaos then existent and engaged himself in useful pursuits. As he had no issue for a long time he built a temple and dedicated it to (Kumara) Subramaniaswami. Shortly after this, he was blessed with a son, who was named Kumara Ettappa Nayakar. It was this gentleman that put clown the pride of an outlaw named Muvarayan and ultimately put him to death levelling his fort to the ground. In recognition of the valorous deed of Kumara Ettappa Nayakar, the Pandian king conferred on him the title of "Sundara Pandya". As Sundara Pandya Ettappa Nayakar had acquired a wide reputation for his enterprising spirit and daring valour, the Pandian king empowered him to quell disturbances in the south, and to restore order and peace as every thing was in confusion and disorder by marauders and upstarts. He accordingly proceeded to Satur, built a fore, and left one of his kinsmen, Nallama Nayakar, in charge of it, which thereafter came to be known as "Nallama Nayakar Kottai"; there still remain some ruins of the fort to the east of Satur and on the south banks of the river.
The next prominent member of the family, Kumara Ettappa Nayakar, brought the Maravars of Elambunom to subjection, and granted the privilege of carrying his, and his successors' palanquin on two of them, Arjuna Thalaven and Muttirala Thalaven and their descendants. He won the esteem and regard of one of the viceroys of the Pandyan king, by name Jagavirarama Pandyan, by collecting the taxes that Remained unpaid by the Marawars of Elambunom, which were 50 bullock loads of (money. The viceroy being pleased with the integrity and unflinching energy that characterised Kumara Ettappa Nayakar, made him a grant of Elambunom, Peddharajapuram, now known as Peddapuram, Pandavamangalam, Suraikapati, Eeral, Valampati, Bamanuttur, and Naduvirapatti, yielding a revenue of Rupees 19,250. He went a step further in his munificence by making the Nayakar the warden of Tiruchuli, conferring on him the title of "Jagavirarama," and by giving him the village of Padavathapully for his palanquin expenses. He continued lord at Elambunom for more than a quarter of a century.
Jagavira Rama Ketchila Ettappa Nayakar, the 19th in succession, subdued Saya Malai and added 15 surrounding villages to it. He was made guardian of one of the 72 bastions of Madura.
Jagavira Rama Kumara Ettappa Nayakar, who was the next Zemindar, has the credit of having built the present town of Etaiyapuram in January 1567, and also the Siva temple there. The King of Madura, Kumara Krishnappa Nayakar, and the Zemindar of Etaiyapuram, proceeded to Travancore and attacked the fort of Eraneel. While returning, the latter was treacherously killed by an arrow discharged by a concealed foe. The former being overwhelmed with grief on account of the sudden death of his comrade made to the family of the deceased a grant of Calugumalai, and also affixed the word "Aiyan" to the names of the succeeding members of the family.
The next prominent member was Jagavira Rama Ettappa Nayakar Aiyan, who went with the King of Madura, Muthu Krishnappa Nayakar, to collect certain dues owing to him in Travancore. Sri Vanji Marthanda, the then Rajah of Travancore, received them very, kindly and rendered them every possible aid.
Jagavira Rama Ketchila Ettappa Nayakar Aiyan , the next in succession, on a certain day, while deer-stalking, went into a dispute with the Golavarapatti people, when with his sword in his left hand, he cut down a horse and its rider. From that time forward he was called "Edawangkai" or left-handed Ketchilappa Nayakar. He once overcame the then Sethupathi in a dispute, and deprived him of his state miibrellas and two state horses, and chased him and his attendants as far as Pemalli village. The eldest son of the Zemindar's second wife, Rana Sura Ketchilappa Nayakar, got into the good graces of Muthuvirappa Nayakar, received as gift, certain villages attached to Kurumalai and settled down there.
It was in the administration of the next Zemindar, Jagavira Rama Ketchila Ettappa Nayakar Aiyan, that protection was given to the Catholic priests living there. The following inscription on a stone is still in existence:—
"Year—year 865, the 19th day of the month Chitra. We Jagavira Ettappa Nayakar Avergal (make proclamation as follows): As in our father's days, twenty-five years ago, this church of God in our territory and the Matha of the ascetics of the city of Rome were preserved from harm, so also now we being resolved to do the same have visited this church and the priests and have given and set up this stone. Wherefore if any person should do any harm to this church of God or the priests, or their disciples, not only will he become a traitor to us, but let him also incur the guilt which would ensue from slaying a black cow and Brahmans on the banks of the Ganges. Thus we have ordained as long as sun and moon endure. Jagavira Ettapa Nayakar. May the Lord preserve (us)."
The 27th ruler, Jagavira Rama Venkateswara Ettappa Nayakar Aiyan was very religious and also said to be well-skilled in magic and witchcraft. The Rajah of Ramnad besieged the fort of Anamanthakudi and sought the aid of the Zemindar of Etaiyapuram, who lost no time in sending a force of 5,000 armed men. It was during this reign that the Vishnu temple at Etaiyapuram was constructed and dedicated. The Zemindar was a great patron of learning. He gave substantial rewards to Kadigai Muthu Pulavar for his Samudra Vilasam, and Kumaresa Manjari.
Muthu Jagavira Rama Cumara Ettappa Nayakar, the 31st Zemindar, was also well known for his wisdom and valour. He had a standing army of 6,000 men. He was the first to render meritorious services to the British Government by defeating the adherents of a refractory Poligar, Cataboma Nayakar of Panjalamcurichy, who defied the authorities and set at naught, their measures. The then Collector, Mr. Lushington heard favorable accounts of the most opportune help of the Zemindar of Etaiyapuram who went there with a small army against Cataboma Nayakar.
In recognition of the timely help given by the Zemindar of Etaiyapuram in the defeat, pursuit, and capture of the rebel chief Cataboma Nayakar, the British Government made him a grant of the village of Sivagnanapuram. The chief was executed and one of his accomplices, Kumaraswami Nayak, his brother, was imprisoned with many others at Ramnad. A conspiracy was formed to release the latter. The conspirators successfully proceeded to the jail, overpowered the guards, entered and threw open the prison doors. This over, they proceeded to Panjalamcurichy and erected a fort well manned by a garrison of 5,000 men all ready and eager for the fight. A small army of the British fired and killed 100 men at one discharge when the remainder beat a precipitate retreat. Mr. Lushington, the Collector, who was then at Nagalapuram, wrote to the Etaiyapuram Zemindar, requesting him to make a thorough enquiry and to submit him a full report on the exact position of affairs, which he accordingly did. On receipt of the report, Mr. Lushington, with a small army proceeded to Panjalamcurichy via Etaiyapuram duly intimaljing the fact to the Zemindar in advance to make the necessary arrangements. On arriving at Etaiyapuram, Messrs. Lushington and Cassamajor consulted the Zemindar as to the course they should adopt in carrying out their object, and also demanded assistance from him in the operations against that fort. The Zemindar, as it was his wont under such circumstances, promised them all the aid in his power and requested them to supply him with fire arms and other requisites, as he and the Poligar of Panjalamcurichy were on hostile terms. The necessary arms were forthwith furnished to the Zemindar's men and three hundred additional muskets were subsequently supplied to them. Lieutenants Laughton Lauden and Warren with three companies and some guns were sent to the protection of Etaiyapuram.
Muthu Jagavira Rama Kumara Ettappa Nayakar Aiyan died after ruling 33 years and he was widely known for his piety, generosity and other good qualities.
Jagavirarama Venkateswara Ettappa Nayakar Aiyan, who came next in succession, erected a temple dedicated to Subramanyaswami and allotted two villages yielding annually Rupees 900 for its up-keep and maintenance. He erected a choultry and sank a well at Etaiyapuram. In 1827 the Eight Honorable S. Lushington, Governor of Madras, paid a visit to Etaiyapuram. A stone mantapam of exquisite workmanship was erected by the Zemindar at a cost of Rupees 30,000, in honor of Calugachala Murti (a Hindu God).
A palanquin and jewels of the value of Rs. 20,000 were presented to the same idol. The lakshadwipam (one lac of lights) ceremony was performed on a very grand scale at a cost of a large sum of money. Rs. 50,000 were spent in connection with the ashtahandanam (the ceremony of fixing an idol) which was performed in honor of Saliwateswarar and Sri Kanthimathi of Tinnevelly. He established a choultry at a cost of Rs. 15,000, which is still in existence, and in which Brahmins and Goshais are supplied with food gratis every day. He built some more temples and they are all even to this day maintained by the members of his family. The excellent buildings known as Sundaravilasam, Kaliana Mahal, Subramania Vilasam, and others that grace the town of Etaiyapuram were built in his time. The two flags of honor promised to the Zemindar's father were received then. He left behind him five sons, Jagavira Rama Kumara Ettappa Nayakar Aiyan, Venkateswara Ettu Nayakar, Muthuswami Pandian and Ramaswami Pandian. The eldest of these succeeded to the estate and built a new palace in the place of the old one which he pulled down. He also erected a substantial brick fortress instead of the old mud fort. The edifice known as "Shunmugavilasam" with a golden cupola was built by him. Some roads, especially the fine and broad one leading to Naduvirpati, were constructed under his orders. Villages yielding an annual income of Rs. 2,500 were set apart for the festivals of the Siva and Vishnu temples. Villages yielding Rs. 7,600, annually were made permanent endowments for the up-keep of the temple of Subramaniaswami. The great mantapam at Kalugumalai was also erected in his time. Jewels set with precious stones of the value of Rs. 70,000 were presented to Subramaniaswami and his Tamil verses in praise of Siva, Vishnu, and Subramaniaswami bear testimony to his ripe scholarship. Two bridges, one at a cost of Rs. 6000, and another at Rs. 10,000, respectively, were built by him. The Government of Madras placed on record their high appreciation of his public spiritedness and benevolence. His bounty and munificence did not end here, for he also built a choultry at Vepalpate and endowed two villages yielding Rs. 1500, annually for its up-keep. When he died he left no heirs and hence his brother, Jagavira Rama Venkateswara Ettappa Nayakar Aiyan succeeded to the estate. He spent a large sum of money in erecting mantapams and other appendages to the Siva temple there. Notable among the additions to the palace was the Hall of Installation surmounted with five golden cupolas costing Rs. 7,000. He also died childless and therefore his brother Muthuswami Jagavira Rama Ettappa Nayakar Aiyan came to the possession of the estate. He had an interview with the then Governor of Madras, when His Excellency visited the Tinnevelly District. Swami Dikshidar, the author of Chambu Kairam, a portion of the Skunda Puranam, was publicly honored and rewarded by the Zemindar.
A silver howdah and a car at a cost of about 20,000 Rupees were prepared for the use of the Kalugumalai temple. He left behind him two sons, the elder of whom succeeded him.
Jagavira Eama Kumara Ettappa Nayaker Aiyan had the honor of welcoming H. E. H. the Prince of Wales, now King Edward VII, when he landed at Tuticorin in December, 1875. The Zemindar travelled with His Royal Highness as far as Koilpati. We give the following lengthy-extract relating to the visit of His Eoyal Highness to the Tinnevelly District:—
"At last we reached terra firma. The preparations were pretty; but there was really very little time to look about one. A temporary pavilion or Pandal had been erected, in which the inevitable address was delivered, and the Zemindars were presented; and when the exchange of courtesies had ended, the Prince walked to the station, where he waited till the exhausted and exhausting Margaret Northcote, had delivered her luckless freight. It is scarcely possible to exaggerate the quiet charms of the scenery along the new Railway, or the great delight of the people at the combined attractions of the first Train, and of the Prince. The whole population thronged to the road-side. The tall, erect figures, square shoulders, broad chests, narrow flanks, and straight limbs of the men, struck one almost as much as the graceful carriage and elegant forms of the women. It would be difficult to find a finer race in any part of the world. Their attitudes of wonder and joy were singularly graceful and attractive. Some expressed their feelings by placing their hands, clasped as if in prayer, before their breasts; others held their fingers to their lips, as if to suppress their cries; but as the Train passed, one and all clapped hands, as if they were of a London audience, applauding at a Theatre. A more natural, easy, and well-to-do looking people could not be found in Christendom. Plains green with sugar, rice and cotton, spread to the foot of the wooded Hills of guiess rock, which, generally conical, were sometimes worn into fantastic outline of castle-like crag, and beetling precipice. It is certainly a land, if not flowing with milk and honey, inhabited by a population of sweet and kindly disposition, whose virtues are admitted by Missionaries, and whose exceeding tract-ability has gained for them the praise of masters, not always given to indulge in over-laudation of any native virtues.
"The part of India, which the Missionaries call Tamil-land, is larger than Bavaria, Saxony, Wurtemburgh, and the German Dukedoms together, and contains a population of about sixteen millions of peope. The Neilgherries rising to the height of 8,000 feet, the Pulney with peaks 7,000 feet high, and their eastern offshoots, diversify the surface; and the watersheds throw off supplies for the great rivers, which become, however, for part of the year, little more than beds of sand. Coffee is planted on the lower ranges ; rice in great quantities is cultivated in the plains, and sugar cultivation is extending. Indigo and different kinds of ^rain thrive in parts of the District, if so it may be called, and cotton is not only sufficiently abundant for the wants of the native manufacturers, but gives margin for export. The manufacture of iron, of very great excellence, the ore of which, is found in large quantities throughout is still carried on. Here we have the Salt Tax and monopoly in full force, the French , at Pondicherry receiving £ 40,000 a year for prohibiting the manufacture within their Settlements; the revenue of the Tamil District from this objectionable source amounting to about two millions of Rupees per annum.
"At Maniachi, 18 miles from Tuticorin, a deputation of about 6,000 native Christians including a large body of clergy and catechists, and 1,000 boys and girls receiving education in Church of England schools, awaited the arrival of H. R. H. The Prince of Wales, the Rev. Dr. Caldwell, the able and learned Missionary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and the Rev. Dr. Sargent, a veteran representative of the Church Missionary Society, surrounded by a considerable staff of English clergy, stood on the platform side by side typifying the perfect unanimity with which our two great Church societies are laboring for the evangelisation of India. When H. R. H. alighted from his carriage, the Missionaries were presented to him by Mr. Robinson and Canon Duckworth. Dr. Caldwell, read an address of welcome from the Church of Tinnevelly expressing the devoted loyalty of its members and their deep sense of the special blessings they enjoyed as the Christian subjects of a Christian sovereign. The progress of the Church of England Mission in this region was sketched, and it was shown how the good seed conveyed from Tanjore by Schwartz about the end of the last century and that which was sown broadcast from 1820 onwards by Rhenius, both German Missionaries in the employ of English Societies, had been nurtured by Missionaries since 1840, until the Native Christian community in Tinnevelly is the most numerous in India. Christian congregations have been formed in about 900 towns, villages, and hamlets composed exclusively of converts. The total number of Native Christians in the District was stated to be sixty thousand, who are under the charge of 54 Native clergy and 590 catechists, and teachers of various grades; and the number of communicants is 10,878. The schools are attended by about 13,000 boys and girls. It is worthy of note that the Christians in Tinnevelly contributed last year Rs. 32,488 for the support of their own church equivalent in the sacrifice it represents to eight or ten times the amount in England. At the conclusion of the address, a handsomely bound Bible and Prayer Book, in the Tamil language, and offerings of embroidery and exquisitely fine lace, the handiwork of girls attending the Tinnevelly schools were presented to His Royal Highness."
"At 12-20 P. M., the Train stopped at Koilpati, 36 miles from Tuticorin. There was a small camp and a handsome mess-tent fitted up luxuriously near the station. The tents belonged to the minor Zemindar of Etaiyapuram who was there with his kinsfolk and tenants, and the usual mighty multitude to greet the Prince. Once more we had occasion to wonder at the swarming masses and to admire the fine forms, pleasant manners and looks, and picturesque appearance of the people. There was a halt of half an hour for luncheon and, before the Prince resumed his journey, he accepted from the Zemindar some articles of trifling value as mementoes of his visit."
The Zemindar was one of those that were invited to be present at the Imperial Assemblage held at Delhi in 1876, when he had an interview with the then Viceroy and Governor-General of India, and received a gold medal from him with the following certificate:—
Certificate.
"By command of His Excellency the Viceroy and "Governor-General this certificate is presented in the name of Her Most Gracious Majesty Victoria, Empress of India, to Jagavira Bama Cumara Ettappa Nayakar, Zemindar of Etaiyapuram, son of Muttusawmy Jagavira Rama Ettappa Nayakar, in recognition of his loyalty and fidelity to the British Government and charity to the poor. 1st January 1887." He was thus enabled to travel throughout India, escorted by a Public Officer of rank, under the orders of the Madras Government. He was one of the few who were invited to attend the assemblage from Southern India.
In the course of his travels to and from Delhi and other parts of India on the same occasion, under the special orders of the Government of Madras, he was escorted by a Public Officer of rank.
When famine raged most furiously in 1877-78 the Zemindar established feeding houses and thousands of people were fed gratis. He further extended his right hand of sympathy to his ryots by advancing them large sums of money. The following that appeared then in the proceedings of the Court of Wards will not be out of place here:—
"The interest displayed by the minor Zemindar in the management of the charities is highly creditable to him.
2. The Collector will intimate to the minor Zemindar their high appreciation of his conduct on this occasion."
We give the following remarks made by the Judge of the Subordinate Court of Tinnevelly in the decision given in favor of the Zemindar in the suit brought by his paternal uncle:—
"Here the plaintiff described the Etaiyapuram Estate as a simple Zemindari created at some time prior to 1783, (i. e., during the Mahomedan period) and denied at the first hearing that it was an ancient Polliam. Consequently I cast upon 1st defendant the burden of establishing that it was a Polliam and not a mere Zemindari, which, as already observed, does not necessarily imply impartibility. Whether the estate existed as a Polliam prior to the Mahomedan rule or not, is thus the next question for consideration. The plaintiff's own exhibit A (the History of Etaiyapuram published by one Swami Dikshadar) shows that the family was founded so far back as in A.D. 803; that 36 successions intervened between the original founder and the present 1st defendant; and that during this long period of 1,000 years there was not a single instance of a partition having taken place of the estate. Throughout this book the Polligar is spoken of as a sovereign prince. It is true that this book was filed by plaintiff for the limited purpose of showing that his grandfather was not the son of his immediate predecessor; but this will not prevent the Court from reading the whole book as one document and availing itself of other informations therein contained. * * *
"For the foregoing reasons I find that the Estate of Etaiyapuram was a Principality; that from the nature of its constitution, as a sort of sovereignty, it has been all along impartible; and that the villages acquired during the time of Plaintiff's grandfather and father form accretions to it and are therefore equally impartible."
He made to the Local Board a free gift of the road leading to Calugumalai, 8 miles long, laid out and maintained at his own cost. For the completion of the bridge at Srivaikuntam across the Tambraparni he lent with the approval of the Government, Rupees 35,000 to the District Board of Tinnevelly. His tenants were greatly benefited during his time since all the irrigation works underwent thorough repairs. Though he was liberal-minded and generous to a fault, yet he was able to effect a large saving. He built a palace on modern style at a cost of two lakhs of Rupees, and this has added much to the picturesqueness of the town. During his time education made great progress in his estate through the establishment of endowed schools.
The Zemindar acquired a wide reputation for munificence and nobility of heart, and after a brief illness he passed away in May, 189O, amidst the universal regret of his friends, relations and ryots.
The present Zemindar, Sri Rajah Jagavira Rama Venkateswara Ettappa Nayakar Bahadur was born in 1878. Till 1890, proper arrangements were made for his education, and he applied himself with industry and zeal to the acquirement of knowledge. Soon after his father's death, the Court of Wards undertook the management of the estate, and sent the young Zemindar to Madras for education. He was trained by educationists of much experience and moral worth such as Messrs. Potts, Ellison, Morrison, Payne, and Rai Bahadur K. Jagannadha Chettiar. While under the care of Mr. Morrison he travelled with him to almost all the places of importance in the Madras and Bengal presidencies, and Colombo, by land and by sea, and learnt the manners and customs prevailing in those places. Under the care of his veteran instructors he devoted himself to study and a preparation for his after life. At the same time, he did not neglect the accomplishments of a well-born Zemindar, and became a keen sportsman and a good rider.
In December 1899, the Rajah attained his majority, and the Government of Madras installed him on the guddi of his ancestors. The ceremony took place on a grand scale when there were present the Collector of the District and many other prominent officials. In the course of the speech made on the occasion he thanked the Government of Madras, and said:—
"It is now my pleasant duty to thank the Madras Government, the Court of Wards and the several Collectors, who were in the district since the assumption of the management by the Court of Wards, for the education they have given me and for the excellent management of my estate during my minority, and thank specially Mr. Bedford for the honor he has done me by his personally handing over the charge of the Estate to me on this occasion."
The Rajah thanked the officials of his Samasthanam, and his respective guardians in the following terms:—
"I am certainly proud to mention the name of Mr. V. Venkatroyer here who was managing the estate under the Court of Wards in the beginning; and all his good work could be seen in the whole of the estate. He was universally liked and respected for his good work and ability. He was succeeded by M. E. Ry. P. Sivarama Iyer Avergal, b.a., as manager and he has managed the estate satisfactorily ; and it is in his time that an addition was made to the estate by the purchase of a large portion of Gandamanayaganoor and I thank him for all he has done towards the improvement of my estate and for the excellent manner in which he conducted my marriage festivities.
"I also thank my several guardians, Messrs. Potts, Ellison, Morrison, Payne and Kai Bahadur K. Jagannadha Chetty Garoo who have all taken such deep interest in my welfare. "Lastly I assure you I will make it my sacred duty to manage my estate without deviating from the path of virtue and justice; and wish to avail myself of this opportunity to present this sunnud to Rai Bahadur K. Jagannadha Chetty Garoo with whose experience, I hope to give satisfaction in the management of my ancient and important Zemindari.
"Thanking you again, ladies and gentlemen, for your extreme kindness in attending this installation ceremony, I fervently pray for the speedy termination of the Transvaal troubles in favour of Great Britain and Ireland and for the long life, sound health and prosperous rule of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen-Empress of India."
The Rajah of Ramnad telegraphed the following message of congratulation on the occasion:—
"My heartfelt congratulations to you on your assumption of charge of your ancient and historical estate. My fervent prayers to Sree Ramanatha and to Kalugachala Shanmuga Moorthi to grant you long life and continued prosperity and to make you and your truth flourish. I have little in the way of advice except to beg you most earnestly as the son of one who was to me devoted brother to take my complete failure as a Zemindar as sufficient warning to you in your future career and to remind you of the words of Lord Ripon to the, Nizam, 'look to your finance,' an advice which I disregarded but which I must beg you " to^ bear in mind to avoid the consequences. I suffer by disregarding it. You know what great affection and regard I have for you personally and it is that that prompts me, even presses me to wire to you thus opening my heart to you. Your manager, Mr. Sivaramier is in away my guardian and I have fatherly regard for him . I regret his leaving you . I am performing Abhishekam and Archanai m your mame this day grandly to my Lord Sree Kamanatha and to our Divine Mother and will send you prasadam. Be ever loyal to our Sovereign and Her Government and use your wealth, power, and influence to benefit others, and to injure none, and above all, be devoted to the feet of Him who from Kalugachalam protects you all, and thus you will be happy now and ever."
Mr. G. S. Forbes telegraphed thus:—
"Sincere congratulations undertaking management your estates. Wish you every success and happy and prosperous year."
The Maharajah of Bobbili wired as follows:—
"Hearty congratulations on your taking charge of your estate."
The Court of Wards desired to replace Mr. Payne who was obliged to go to England on urgent private affairs by an officer who would not only be competent to instruct the young Zemindar in regard to the management of his estate but would also be a suitable person for retention after the property passed the hands of the Government of Madras, Rai Bahadur K. Jagannadha Chettiar, an officer of marked ability, unblemished reputation and long experience was specially selected for that post. He was Dewan of the estate for about 2 years and worked with much success. He lately retired on a decent pension. The present Dewan is Mr. S. T. Shunmugam Pillai, b. a., a retirtd Deputy Collector of much experience. With the intelligence of the Rajah Sahib coupled with that of his able and energetic Dewan, the Samasthanam is sure to thrive and prosper.
The Rajah Sahib was under the care and tuition of competent Englishmen of great parts, and the advantages derived from his travel to various parts of the country, opened his eyes to reforms in social life, and the first item he desired to practically carry out was the opening of a Girls' School in his estate. During his father's time there was an English school teaching up to the Lower Secondary standard, and the present Rajah raised it to the grade of a High School. Etayapuram is a very large estate, where a High School was a desideratum for a long time. These measures tending towards education were carried out by him soon after he assumed charge of the estate. He has opened a model farm on scientific principles, and this in itself is sufficient to prove that he is just paving the way for higher reforms in point of cultivation. Ho has also established a choultry, a school, and a market at Veppalpatti.
In honor of the Coronation of King Edward VII, a meeting was held at Etaiyapuram when the Rajah made the following interesting speech:—
"Gentlemen,
We are assembled here, not to discuss questions connected with our private concerns, nor to express our views on party or public questions of any kind, but to perform a most solemn and sacred function of paying homage to our Most Gracious Sovereign, His Majesty, the King-Emperor Edward VII, this the most mcmorable day at his Coronation, in the City of London, being the capital of his world-wide dominions, on which, you all know, the Sun never sets, and further to express our sentiments of congratulation on that happy event, and of our loyalty and devotion to the British Crown of unrivalled splendour and glory.
"It is no exaggeration to say that we (Indians) are deeply indebted to the British Raj for the innumerable benefits we have been enjoying under its suzerainty, such as gigantic irrigation and water supply projects, noblest charities in the establishment of Hospitals and Chattrams, rapid advance in Education, Civilisation, Religious liberty, Art, Science, Literature, Trade and Manufacture, and various other privileges never before chronicled in the pages of the Indian History, and I do not think we can possibly repay the debt except by continuing to be ever most grateful and loyal to the Throne.
"I really wish I were, at this moment, present in London among the party of Indian visitors, there, partaking of the loyal functions they perform, and the grand and gorgeous spectacle they enjoy this day. As it is, I could but make a feeble attempt at what I thought the only best way of commemorating the event, by planting trees and topes, sinking wells, feeding and clothing the poor, and conducting a procession of the Emperor's portrait round the streets of this town and holding a Durbar like this, here. So far, I am glad to say, my attempt has been a perfect success, and I must not omit to thank all of my relations, friends, officers, and ryots, as my success is due mainly to their hearty co-operation and assistance throughout, and we all see, this afternoon, the Heaven has also accorded its sanction to our arrangements by sending, from the region of clouds, long unheard peals of thunder accompanied by rain, as if the report of our 101 guns fired is not loud enough to proclaim the happy event.
"In conclusion, I with the full consent of the meeting, once more voice my own sentiments as well as theirs, of hearty congratulation on our Emperor's Coronation, and of our devoted loyalty to the Throne as well as the secret prayer of our heart of hearts to the Almighty God for the long life and continuously prosperous reign of His Majesty; and I propose three cheers to His Majesty the King-Emperor, and three more to Her Majesty the Queen, Empress."
The Rajah, who, in intelligence, capacity and fixed purpose, is in no way inferior to his predecessors, has undertaken what he considers as the most important duties of his exalted position, in the establishment of educational institutions, and in the introduction of scientific methods of cultivation. He is a nobleman of great promise with fine feeling, generous sympathies and an excellent and resolute character. We give the following from what Mr. Caldwell expressed in his history of the Tinnevelly District about the Etaiyapuram Samasthanam:—
"This lucid and most interesting history of Ettaiyapuram Zemindari, the most important Zemindari in Tinnevelly District may be said to form an Epoch in the literary history of the Presidency of Madras and even of Southern India, as it is not only the first connected history of an Indian Zemindari which has appeared, but is in itself a model which other Zemindars would do well to follow. The Zemindar instead of giving himself up to idleness and luxury, and leaving the best interests of his people to their fate, has set himself to imitate the public spirited and beneficent action of the best class of European nobles and not only made for himself a name and position in the foremost class of Indian local administrators, but has given his Zemindari the highest position that any Indian district of this class has yet reached. I cannot but trust that the Madras Government will take the opportunity of evincing its sense of the Zemindar's services to the State by the example he has set, and its desire that his example should be followed by others in some appropriate manner. For instance, might they not give this history, a place amongst the historical memoirs and records published by themselves, together with conferring on this model Zemindar, some title of honour, valued by natives ?"