Zamindar

“ There are some seven hundred native states, and the rulers of every one has his treasure-vaults on a more or less elaborate scale. Besides these, every zamindar and every Indian of high or low degree who can save anything, wants to have it by him in actual metal ”

“ The adopting zamindar belonged to the Damara Ashwa Rao family, and selected as his heir a boy of the Kundemulla family. This choice was resented and resisted by another family, called by Captain Glasfurd the Setpilly Ashwa Raos, who thought one of their members ought to have been selected. The struggle between the members of these families went on for more than forty years. The Setpillys were at first victorious; but their representative made a raid into British territory and was taken prisoner and carried off to Hyderabad in 1811. The Damara adoptee was now appointed zamindar by the Nizam ”

“ How curiously placed are we between the Eternal and the Ephemeral! Any allusion to the affairs of the stomach sounds so hopelessly discordant when the mind is dwelling on the things of the spirit,—and yet the soul and the stomach have been living together so long. The very spot on which the moonlight falls is my landed property, but the moonlight tells me that my zamindari is an illusion, and my zamindari tells me that this moonlight is all emptiness. ”

“ A second middleman was often introduced by renting villages annually or for a term of years, preference being given to such proposals as ensured the highest amount of rent and afforded security for its punctual payment, and little regard being had to the class of persons tendering or the influence rack-rents must have on the resources of the villages. In adverse seasons all that could be taken of the ryots' produce was claimed on the part of the zamindar, and in ordinary years the demand purposely exceeded their means. ”

“ Curiously enough, their women are held to be of the Padmani kind, i.e., of peculiar beauty of face and form, and are also said to be very virtuous. It is well known, however, that zamindars and other rich men are very fond of intriguing with them, particularly in the neighbourhood of Paramagudi, where they live in great numbers. ”

“ There were in all fourteen ancient zamindaris and twelve muttas in those parts of the present Gódávari district which were then included in the district of Rajahmundry.1 [6]
The Pithápuram zamindari is the only large property which retains anything like its old proportions. Much of the Peddápuram estate has been bought in by Government for arrears, and what remains of it has been divided into nine small zamindaris which altogether pay a peshkash of less than one and a half lakhs. ”

“ The havili land was kept under direct management as in the time of the Musalmans.
The zamindars undoubtedly oppressed their ryots. The 'ancient established custom' of collecting the revenue in the zamindari land was by a division of the crop (ásará) , but in practice several different modes were adopted by the zamindars.1 [2] In some cases the crop was shared; in others, particularly on the more fertile soils producing paddy, there was a fixed rent; and garden land, or land producing tobacco, cotton, betel, sugar-cane, oilseeds, palmyra or fruit trees, was assessed on special principles. ”

“ Thereupon Hussain Ali Khan, who knew the whole truth, said to Haidar Jang : 'Should you be guided by the instigating words of Viziaramaraz and attack the fort of Ranga-Rao, who is a well-to-do Zemindar possessing a keen sense of dignity, honourable, and at the same time innocent, do you think you can make him surrender the fort without the loss of a great many lives? Would not all the residents of the fort, from the oldest person to the youngest, have fallen to a man before you should be able to force entrance into the fort? ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ It was in this hall that the old Zemindar had received Raja Todar Mull, and it was here that Nobo Kumar had more recently received Raja Man Singh.
A spacious quadrangle in the outer house was surrounded on all sides by structures. Swarms of people from every part of the extensive estate crowded this quadrangle from morning to night, for seclusion and retirement were not the ideas of the olden times. The house of a Zemindar was like a public office, and a Feudal Lord loved to live among his people, and in constant touch with his people. ”

“ It was owing to thy endeavours again that he once more became Zemindar of Debipur before he died."
"Heaven alone can prosper our endeavours. I did my little best, and I shall die a happy man, having seen my old Master restored to his own."
"Long mayst thou live yet, Gokul Das, and long mayst thou minister to the people of Debipur, whose happiness is my care."
"Our crops have been plentiful these many years, Master, and there is peace all over the estate. Our collections have been good, and, after meeting the heavy expenses of the late funeral, the treasure vaults of the House are yet full. ”

“ Asked Nuzhat al-Zaman, "What then is it that thou purposest to do?"; and the King answered, "I mean to kill him, that the Wazir may be baulked of his intent and return to his allegiance, seeing nothing for it but my service." Quoth she, "In good sooth perfidy with strangers is a foul thing and how much more with kith and kin! The righteous deed to do would be to marry him to thy daughter Kuzia Fakan and give heed to what was said of old time:—
An Fate some person 'stablish o'er thy head, ✿ And thou being worthier her choice upbraid,
Yet do him honour due to his estate ”

“ 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. ”

“ You have sought to remedy this want and I cannot but think that the sound, practical advice which you have given in such a simple and out-spoken manner will be useful to the rising generation of Zemindars and will impress them as coming from one who is not only of their own race and class but has also set a notable example as a landlord and a public man. It has been interesting to me to see how in many respects your point of view is different to that of an Englishman, and I consider it a special compliment to have my name associated with a book written by an Indian for Indians. ”

“ All those who have been watching the progress of events from one end of India to the other, can bear testimony to the fact, that there are some Zemindaries to-day in this part of the Presidency, which would seem to confirm the idea, that for any Zemindar who is imbued with honest and noble principles the path to success is an easy one; and among such Zemindars a chronicler of the history of the Ganjam District is sure to give a prominent place to the Eajah of Kallikote and Atagada. ”

“ Ranga-Rao, who observed the enemy, sent for all his Velama Doras and other fighters; and having made his preparations for fighting, he ordered Naubath to be played on the Naubathkhana. Haidar Jang, who heard the sound, asked Hussain Ali Khan what the sound was, and was told in reply that it was the Naubath played on the ramparts of the fort at the orders of the Zemindar. Haidar Jang, whose anger was roused at hearing the sound, deputed Hussain Ali Khan to direct the master of Bobbili to have the playing stopped, and to vacate the fort, as the Commander-in-Chief lay encamped in front of it. ”

“ Then Princess Budur shook him with her hands and said, "My life on thee, hearken to me; awake and up from thy sleep and look on the narcissus and the tender down thereon, and enjoy the sight of naked waist and navel; and touzle me and tumble me from this moment till break of day! Allah upon thee, O my lord, sit up and prop thee against the pillow and slumber not!" Still Kamar al-Zaman made her no reply but breathed hard in his sleep. Continued she, "Alas! Alas! thou art insolent in thy beauty and comeliness and grace and loving looks! But if thou art handsome, so am I handsome ”

“ Such was the case with Kamar al-Zaman, son of King Shahriman; but as regards Princess Budur, daughter of King Ghayur, Lord of the Isles and the Seven Palaces, when the two Jinns bore her up and laid her on her bed, she slept till daybreak, when she awoke and sitting upright looked right and left, but saw not the youth who had lain in her bosom. At this her vitals fluttered, her reason fled and she shrieked a loud shriek which awoke all her slave girls and nurses and duennas. They flocked in to her; and the chief of them came forward and asked, "What aileth thee, O my lady?" ”

“ By Allah, O my lord, neither male nor female hath come in to thee!" Exclaimed the Prince, "Thou liest, O pestilent slave!: is it of thy competence also to hoodwink me and refuse to tell me what is become of the young lady who lay with me last night and decline to inform me who took her away?" Replied the eunuch (and he was affrighted at him) , "By Allah, O my lord, I have seen neither young lady nor young lord!" His words only angered Kamar al-Zaman the more and he said to him, "O accursed one, my father hath indeed taught thee deceit! Come hither." ”

“ CHAPTER I
what pratap did
ratap was a Zemindar and a plunderer too. At the time of which we are speaking, almost all the Zemindars of this country were plunderers. Darwin has said that man has sprung originally from the monkey tribe. If people do not take offence or get annoyed at this theory, we may, perhaps, reasonably hope that no Zemindar of the present generation will be displeased with us for our remarks regarding their ancestry. To speak the truth, it does not seem to be in any way dishonourable or inglorious for a man to have descended from an ancient stock of plunderers ”

“ When Kamar al-Zaman heard these words, the light became darkness in his sight and he said, "O King, thou hast in thy household fair women and female slaves, who have not their like in this age: shall not these suffice thee without me? Do thy will with them and let me go!" She replied, "Thou sayest sooth, but it is not with them that one who loveth thee can heal himself of torment and can abate his fever; for, when tastes and inclinations are corrupted by vice, they hear and obey other than good advice. ”

“ With the help of this Sirdar, the Zemindar of Bobbili sets us at defiance, and even the Commander-in-Chief. This will be evident if you only consider the fact that even when we who have been so famous for strength and courage have implicitly obeyed your summons, he has not thought fit to pay his respects to you in answer to your call. I need not say any more on the matter.'
"Roused by the inflaming words of the Rajah, Haidar Jang exclaimed, 'For us who have conquered so many countries, you seem to say it is a great matter to overcome Ranga-Rao, who is but a common Zemindar of a hilly tract. ”

“ She is shine, O my son; and, if this my land please thee and thou be willing to abide and make thy home here, I will marry thee to her and give thee my kingdom and so be at rest." When Princess Budur heard this, she bowed her head and her forehead sweated for shame, and she said to herself. "How shall I do, and I a woman? If I refuse and depart from him, I cannot be safe but that haply send after me troops to slay me; and if I consent, belike I shall be put to shame. I have lost my beloved Kamar al-Zaman and know not what is become of him ”

“ She stole one glance of eyes that cost her a thousand sighs: her heart fluttered, and her vitals throbbed and her hands and feet quivered; and she said to Kamar al-Zaman "Talk to me, O my lord! Speak to me, O my friend! Answer me, O my beloved, and tell me thy name, for indeed thou hast ravished my wit!" And during all this time he abode drowned in sleep and answered her not a word, and Princess Budur sighed and said, "Alas! Alas! why art thou so proud and self satisfied?" ”

“ His lip-dew's sweeter than the virgin honey; * His teeth are pearls in double row close press: All charms are congregate in him alone, * And deals his loveliness to man unrest. Beauty wrote on those cheeks for worlds to see * 'I testify there is none good but He.'" [7]
When the year came to an end, the King called his son to him and said, "O my son, wilt thou not hearken to me?" Whereupon Kamar al-Zaman fell down for respect and shame before his sire and replied, "O my father, how should I not hearken to thee, seeing that Allah commandeth me to obey thee and not gain-say thee?" ”