MADRAS DISTRICT GAZETTEERS
VIZAGAPATAM.
VOLUME I.
MADRAS DISTRICT GAZETTEERS.
VIZAGAPATAM.
BY
W. FRANCIS,
INDIAN CIVIL SERVICE.
MADRAS:
PRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, GOVERNMENT PRESS.
1907.
PREFACE.
This book follows the plan prescribed by Government, and statistics have for the most part been given in a separate Appendix which is to be revised decennially, after each Census.
The original 'District Manual,' written by Mr. D. F. Carmichael, I.C.S., when Collector and Agent, was published so long ago as 1869. One of its chief features was the section devoted to the early history of the numerous zamindaris, and this has been freely utilized in Chapter XV of the present volume. Much interesting matter regarding the 'Agency tracts' of the district has also been extracted from the annual administration reports of the Agents to the Governor, the earlier of which give vivid accounts of the difficulties of the pioneers of law and order in that wild country.
Thanks to the many gentlemen, official and non-official, who have helped with this book have been tendered where possible in the body of the volume, but special obligations have been incurred to Mr. R. H. Campbell, the present Collector and Agent, who has been kind enough to read the whole of the proofs and make a large number of important corrections and improvements in them.
PLAN OF CONTENTS.
Chapter pages I. 1–23 II. 24–58 III. 59–98 IV. 99-110 V. 111–121 VI. 122–132 VII. 133–145 VIII. 146–155 IX. 156–159 X. 160–163 XI. 164–182 XII. 183–194 XIII. 195–211 XIV. 212–217 XV. Gazetteer— 218–225 226–231 232–235 236–242 243–244 245–246 247–256 257–259 260–276 277 278–281 282–283 284–286 287–292 293–299 300 301–303 304–308 309–315 316–318 319–322 323–334 335–340 Index 341–365
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
physical description.
General Description (page 1)—Position and boundaries—Taluks and chief towns—Natural divisions (3). Hills (4)—In the Parvatipur division—The 3,000 feet plateau (5)—Galikonda as a sanitarium (6)—The 2,000 feet plateau (7)—The Malkauagiri taluk. Rivers (8)—The Varaha—The Sarada—The Chittivalasa river—The Gostani (9)—The Langulya—The Vanisadhara (10)—The Tel—The Indravati—The Kolab and Saveri (11)—The Sileru. Soils (12). Climate (13)—Rainfall—Temperature (14). Geology (15). Minerals (16)—Manganese—Iron—Graphite—Limestone—Steatite—Sapphiriae—A meteorite. Flora (17). Fauna (21)—Domestic animals; cattle—Sheep—Goats—Game (22) ... ... ... ....1–23.
political history.
Early History (page 24)—Formed part of the kingdom of Kalinga —Antiquity of this—Its conquest by Asoka, 260 B.C. (25)—A long gap in its history—The Ganga kings (26)—Attacked by their neighbours, tenth century—The later Gangas of Trikalinga—Anantavarman-Choda-Ganga, 1078 (27)—Invaded by the Cholas, eleventh century—The Matsyas -Decline of the Gangas, 1434 (2S)—The Gajapatis of Orissa—Defeated by Krishna Deva of Vijayanagar, 1515—End of the dynasty, 1541 (29). Muhammadan Period, 1568—Aurangzeb overthrows Golconda, 1687 (30)—The Subadar of the Deccan becomes independent, 1724—Cedes the Northern Circars to the French, 1753 (31)— Difficulties of the French thereafter—Bussy at length obtains possession, 1757 (32)— Forde's expedition against the French, 1758 (33)—The French expelled from the Circars (34)—The Circars ceded to the English, 1765. English Period (35)—Foundation of Vizagapatam settlement, l682—Its early progress (3'))—The cowle granted in 1685—The fact >ry sacked by the Musalmans, 1689 (37)—Mr. Holcombe becomes Chief, 1692 —Hidden treasure in Bobbili (38)—Local disturbances, 1604 (39)— Extravagance at Vizagapatam—More local disturbances, 1697—Brighter prospects, 1698 (40)—Vizagapatam besieged, 1711—The defences strengthened (42)—Waltair first occupied, 1727—Further
strengthening of the defences, 1741-45 (43)—The place surrenders to Bussy, 1757 (44)—Is recovered and becomes the capital of the district, 1769 (46)—Growth of the power of the Vizianagram Raja—And of his diwan SitaramaRazu (47)—Sepoy mutiny at Vizagapatam, 1780— Proposed cession of the Circars, 1781 (48)—Maladministration by the Vizianagram Raja (49)—Dangerous growth of his power—Ordered to reduce his troops, 1788 (50)—Falls into heavy arrears with his peshkash, 1793—His estate is sequestrated—And he is ordered to leave the district, 1794 (51)—He resists this order—And is killed at Padmanabbam (53)—His son is given the estate (54)—Which is greatly curtailed (55)—The Permanent Settlement, 1802—Its unfortunate effects (56)—Mr. Russell's Commission, 1833 (57)—Subsequent outbreaks (58) ... ... ... ....24–58. the people.
General Characteristics (page 59)—Density of the population—Its growth (60)—Emigration—Parent tongue—Education (62)—Occupations—Religions. The Jains. The Christians—The London Mission (63)—Roman Catholic Mission—Schleswig-Holtein Lutheran Mission (64)—Canadian Baptist Missions (65). The Musalmans. The Hindus (60)—Villages and houses (67)—Dress (68)—Food (70)—Amusements—Dancing(71)—Chaitra feast (72)—S. persiitions (73). Religious Life (74)—In the plains—The village deities— In the Agency (75). Principal Castes (76)—In the plains—Kapu (77)— Velama (78)—Telaga—Nagaralu—Aiyarakulu (79)—Bagata—Gavara-Konda Dora (80)—Golla—Kamsala (81)—Sale—Salapu (82)—Silavantalu—Yata—Mangala—Jalari (83)-Mila—Nagavasulu—Relli—Godagula—Beggar castes (84)—Principal castes in the Agency—Poroja (86)—Dombu (88)—Paidi (89)—Bottada-Rona (90)—Bhumiya—Sondi (91)—Korono—Mali (92)—Omanaito—Mattiya—Pentiya (93)—Dhakkado—Khond—Jatapu (94)—Muka Dora (95)—Savara—Gadaba (96)-Koya (98)—Gond... ... ... ....59–98.
agriculture and irrigation.
Agricultural Statistics (page 99)—The crops most grown (100) —Indigo (101)—Sugar-cane—Jute—Others (102). Cultivation Methods—On the hills (103)— The Agricultural Association. Irrigation (104)—The protected area—Wells—Tanks (105)— Channels—From the Varaha—From the Sarada—From the Nagavali (106)— The Nagavali project. Economic Condition OF Agriculturists (107)... ... ... ....99–110.
forests.
Foests (page 111)—Government forests; beginnings of conservancy— Character of the forests; in Sarvasiddhi (112)—In Palkonda (113)—And in Golgonda (114)—Zamindari forests (115)—The Jeypore forests; existing reserves (116)—Destruction in former days —Situation and characteristics (119)... ... ... ....111–121.
occupations and trade.
means of communication.
Roads (page 133)—In the plains; their condition in 1850—Beginnings of extension—Their present condition (134)—Chief lines of communication—Bridges (135)—Roads in the Agency (136)—Lammasingi ghat—Minamalur ghat—Anantagiri ghat (137)—Pottangi ghat and road to Jeypore (139)—Roads on the Jeypore plateau (141)—Lakshmipur ghat—Parvatipur-Rayagada road (142)—Roads in Gunupur Agency—Sitampeta pass—Future extensions (143)—Vehicles—Travellers' bungalows and chattirams (l44). Railways—The Madras and Bengal-Nagpur lines—The proposed Vizianagram-Raipur line. Lines of Steamers (145)... ... ... ... ... ....133–145.
rainfall and seasons.
Rainfall (page 146). Famines and Scarcities (148)—In 1790-92—In 1824—In 1865-68—In 1871-72—In 1876-78 (149)—In 1885-86—In 1889—In 1896-97—The relief granted (150)—Private charity and Government loans (151)—Cost to the state—Resisting power of the district. Floods and Storms (152)—Storm of 1700-Of 1749. And of 1752 (153)—Cyclone of 1867—Flood and cyclone of 1870—Flood of 1872-Cyclone of 1876 (154)—Two cyclones of 1878. Earthquakes (155)... ... ... ... ... ....146–155.
public health.
General Health ([page 156)—Malaria—Cholera—Small-pox (157)—Vital statistics. Medical Institutions—Civil hospital at Vizagapatam—Institutions at Bimlipatam (158)—Palkonda—Vizagapatam—Vizianagram—And Bobbili (159)—The Waltair Lunatic Asylum ... ... ... ....156–159.
education.
Census Statistics (page 160)—Education by religions and taluks (161). Educational Institutions—The Raja's College at Vizianagram—The Sirs. A. V. Narasinga Rao College—Upper secondary schools (162)-Lower secondary schools—Other public schools-Sanskrit schools—Schools for girls (163)—Schools for backward classes ... ... ... ... ...16O-163.
land revenue administration.
Revenue History (page 164)—Early systems—Practice under the Musalmans (165)—The exactions of the zamindars (166)—Beginnings of the Company's administration—The Permanent Settlement; the instructions issued (169)—The action taken (170)—The general results (171)—The formation of the three Government taluks (172)—The existing revenue settlement in these (173)— Principles followed-Rates prescribed (175). Inams. Existing Divisional Charges (177). Appendix, List of the Chiefs in Council and Collectors of Vizagapatam (178) 164-182
salt, abkari and miscellaneous revenue.
Salt (page 183)—The existing factories—The supply produced (184)—The Oriental Salt Company—Earth-salt (185)—Fish curing yards (186). Abkari and Opium—Abkari in the Agency—Toddy—Spirit— Abkari in the ordinary tracts; arrack (189)—Toddy (191)—Opium—Hemp-drugs (192). Customs (193)—Sea-customs—Land-customs. Income-Tax. Stamps (194) ... ... 183-194
administration of justice.
Former Courts (page 195). Courts and Laws in the Agency—Limits of the Agency (196)—Agency rules (197)—Laws in force in the Agency. Civil Justice Elsewhere—Existing courts—Amount of litigation (198)— Registration. Criminal Justice—The various tribunals— Former meriah sacrifices (199)—Crime and criminal castes (203). Police (205). Jails (206). Appendix, Laws in force in the Agency (208) ... ... ... 195-211
local self-government.
The Local Boards (page 212)—The Unions—Finances of the boards (213). The Four Municipalities—Anakapalle municipality—Bimlipatam municipality (214)—Vizianagram municipality—Improvements effected by it— Water-supply and drainage (215)—Vizagapatam municipality—Its many undertakings (216)—The water-works (217) 212-217
gazetteer.
Anakapalle Taluk (page 218)—Anakapalle (219)—Kasimkota (222)— Sankaram (223). Bimlipatam Taluk (226)—Bimlipatam—Padmanabham (230)—Potnuru—Saintapilly (231). Bissamkatak Taluk (232)—Bissam- kaiak. Bobbili Taluk (236)—Bobbili. Chipurupalle Taluk (243)— Chipurupalle—Garugubilli—Gujaratipeta—Shermuhammadpuram (244). Gajapatinagaram Taluk (245)—Andra—Gajapatinagaram—Jayati (246) —Marupilli—Regulavalasa. Golgonda Taluk (247)—Balighattam (252) —Gudem—Krislinadevipet (253)—Lotugedda—Narasapatam—Uratla (254)~Vajragada (255). Gunupur Taluk (257)—Gudari (258)—Gunupur—Jagamanda (259). Jeypore Taluk (260)—Guptasvara Cave— Jeypore (261)—Kotapad (274). Koraput Taluk (277)—Koraput. Malkanagiri Taluk (278)— Kondnkamberu (281)—Malkanagiri—Motu. Naurangpur Taluk (282)— Naurangpur—Pappadahandi (283). Padwa Taluk (284)—Borra Cave (285)— Matsya gundam. Palkonda Taluk (287)—Palkonda (290)-Razam—Siripuram — Viraghattam (292). Parvatipur Taluk (293)—Addapusila—Kurupam—Morangi (295)—Parvatipar (297)—Sangamvalasa (298). Pottangi Taluk (300)— Nandapuram—Pottangi. Rayagada Taluk (301)—Payakapad—Rayagada-Singapur (302). Salur Taluk (301)— Korravanivalasa—Pachipenta (305)— Saldr (30G). Sarva-siddhi Taluk (309)—Dimila—Gopalapatnam—Nakkapalli— Pancha-dharala (310)—Payakaraopeta (312)—Pentakota (313)—Pudimadaka—Rayavaram—Sarvasiddhi (314)—Uppalam— Vatada (315)—Yellamanchili. Srungavarapukota Taluk (316)—Dharmavaram—Jami— Kasipuram (317)—Srungavarapukota (318). Viravilli Taluk (319)— Chodavaram—Madgole. Vizagapatam Taluk (323)— Simhachalam—Vizagapatam (335). Vizianagram Taluk (335)—Ramatirtham—Vizianagram (336) 218-340
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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