# Gódávari

MADRAS DISTRICT GAZETTEERS.
GÓDÁVARI.
VOLUME I.
[3 shillings.]
MADRAS DISTRICT GAZETTEERS.
GÓDÁVARI.
BY
F. R. HEMINGWAY,
INDIAN CIVIL SERVICE,
MADRAS:
REPRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, GOVERNMENT PRESS.
1915.
PREFACE.
This Gazetteer has been prepared on the plan prescribed by Government according to which statistics have been relegated as far as possible to a separate Appendix which is to be revised decennially. The original 'District Manual' was written by Mr. H. Morris of the Madras Civil Service in 1878.
I have gratefully to return thanks for help from many quarters. The account of the early history has been almost entirely based on information supplied by Rai Bahadur V. Venkayya, M.A., the Government Epigraphist, whose kindness in reading and correcting my drafts and answering my questions I cannot too warmly acknowledge. The District officials have all given me their ready and cordial assistance, and so have many non-official residents of the district. I wish particularly to express my obligations to the Revs. J. H. Harper, J. Cain and A. Gangloff, to Messrs. E. B. Elwin, I.C.S., H. Lafiamme, C. Mildred, G. F. F. Foulkes, M. G. K. Waite, J. F. Marshall, M. Woodhouse, W. J. M. Inkster, L. D. Buchanan, H. J. Allen, F. Armitage, A. C. Pranatartihara Aiyar, R. Venkata Rao and V. Parthasaradhi Chetti and to Capt. M. N. Chaudhuri, I.M.S. All these gentlemen have helped me with the records at their disposal or with their personal experience; and they have supplied a large portion of the material found in this Gazetteer. I have also to thank Mr. J. A. Gumming, I.C.S., for reading through the proofs and for many valuable suggestions.
F. R. H.
PLAN OF CONTENTS.
* Chapterpages
* I.Physical Description................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................1–16
* II.Political History................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................17–37
* III.The People................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................38–67
* IV.Agriculture and Irrigation................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................68-91
* V.Forests................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................92–101
* VI.Occupations and Trade................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................102–123
* VII.Means of Communication................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................124–134
* VIII.Rainfall and Seasons................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................135–147
* IX.Public Health................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................148–152
* X.Education................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................153–159
* XI.Land Revenue Administration................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................160–180
* XII.Salt, Abkari and Miscellaneous Revenue................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................181–187
* XIII.Administration of Justice................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................188–195
* XIV.Local Self-government................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................196–199
* XV.Gazetteer—
* Amalaápuram Taluk................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................200–206
* Cocanada Taluk................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................207–216
* Nagaram Taluk................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................217–220
* Pedddápuram Taluk................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................221–226
* Pithápuram Division................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................227–239
* Rajahmundry Taluk................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................240–248
* Rámachandrapuram Taluk................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................249–254
* Tuni Division................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................255–257
* Bhadráchalam Taluk................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................258–265
* Chódavaram Division................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................266–277
* Pólavaram Division................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................278–283
* Yellavaram Division................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................284–288
* Index................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................289–302
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION.
General description (page 1)—Chief towns (2)—Etymology of the name—Natural divisions (3). Hills—The Ghats. Rivers (4)—The Godavari—Its sanctity (6)—Its islands and encroachments—The season of its floods (7)—Its tributaries—The Yeleru, Soils (8). Geology—Physical changes now in progress (9). Minerals (10)—Coal—The Gauridevipeta field—Bedadanuru—Gold (11)—Iron—Graphite—Mica—Building stone—Rock-crystals, garnets, sapphires. Climate—Rainfall—Temperature (12)—Wind and weather. Flora. Fauna (13)—Cattle—Buffaloes—Sheep and goats (14)—Cattle-breeding—Feeding methods—Cattle diseases— Cattle fairs (15)—Game—Fish—Native sportsmen (16) ... ... ... ... 1-16
CHAPTER II.
POLITICAL HISTORY.
Early History (page 17)—Asoka's conquest, 260 B.C.—The Andhras, down to 200 A. D. (18)—The Pallavas, about 200-615 A.D.—The Chalukyas—Their conquest of Vengi, about 615 (19)—Separation of the Eastern and Western Chalukyas, about 630— Hiuen Tsiang's description of the former (20)—Eastern Chalukya rule, 630-999—Chola conquest, 999—Kulottunga Chola I (21)—He obtains the Chola and Vengi thrones, 1070—His viceroys in Vengi—His death in 1119 and the decline of the Cholas (22)—The Velanandu chieftains, twelfth century (23)—The Kona chiefs of the delta—Local chiefs of Ellore, Nadendla, etc,—The Kakatiyas of Warangal conquer Kistna about 1200 (24)—And Godavari about 1300—Pratapa Rudra's viceroys—Temporary Musalman conquest of the district, 1323 (25)—The Korukonda Reddis, 1325-95—The Reddis of Kondavid, 1344-1422—The Rajahmundry Reddis, 1422-50 (26)—The Gajapatis of Orissa take the district, 1450—But cede part of it to the Muhammadans, 1470—The latter ousted, 1489 (27)—Conquest by Vijayanagar, 1515—Musalman conquest of Kistna, 1540—And of Godavari, 1571 (28). Muhammadan Period—Weakness of their rule—Aurangzeb establishes his authority, 1687 (29)—The Subadar of the Deccan becomes independent, 1724—The Northern Circars ceded to the French, 1753 (30)—Their difficulties there—Bussy at length obtains possession, 1757 (31)—Forde's expedition against the French, 1758—His victory at Condore—The country cleared of the French (32)—Cession of the Northern Circars to the English, 1765 (33). English Period (34)—Early administration—Disturbances of the peace—In 1785-90 (34)—In 1790-1800—Quieter times thereafter (36)—Subba Reddi's rebellion, 1858—Outbreaks in Rampa. 17-37 ​
CHAPTER III.
THE PEOPLE.
General Characteristics (page 38)—Density of the population—Its growth—Parent-tongue—Religions. The Jains (38). The Musalmans. The Christians—American Evangelical Lutheran Mission— The Canadian Baptist Mission (40)—The Church Missionary Society (41)—The Roman Catholic Mission (42). The Hindus—Villages—Houses (43)—Dress (44)—Food (44)—Amusements—Superstitions (46)—Village, caste, and family gods (47)—Marriage rules and ceremonies (49)—Funerals (50). Principal Castes—Telugu Brahmans (51)—Razus (53)—Komatis (54)—Kapus (55)—Kammas— Perikes (56)—Idigas (57)—Gamallas —Kamabattus (58)—Sanis—Malas—Madigas (60)—Koyas—Hill Reddis (66) 38-67
CHAPTER IV.
AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION.
Wet Cultivation (page 68)—Paddy; its seasons—Its varieties —Rain-fed paddy (69)—Sowing versus transplantation—Methods of raising seedlings — Preparation of fields (70)—Transplantation and care of the crop —Second-crop cultivation (71)—Third crops—Agricultural maxims—Wet crops other than paddy (72)—Rotations—Cultivation of sugar-cane—Jaggery-making (74)—Ratooning—Varieties of sugar-cane—Recent sugar-cane disease and the Samalkot experimental farm (75). Dry Cultivation (76)—Seasons, etc.—Cultivation (77)—Cholam—Tobacco (77)—Improvement of the leaf—Shifting cultivation in the Agency—Storage of grain (79). Irrigation—Protected area. The Godavari Anicut—Origin of the idea (80)—First estimates— The site and design (81)—Progress of construction (82)—Subsequent difiiculties (83)—Alterations since effected (84)—Distributarv works (85)— The Gannavaram aqueduct (86)—Completion of distributaries (87)— Financial results of the scheme—Possible extensions of it (88) — Its administration. Other Irrigation Sources (89)—Minor channels and tanks—Wells— Artesian wells (90). Economic Condition of Agriculturists 68-91
CHAPTER V.
FORESTS.
Early Operations (page 92)—Progress of reservation. Settlement (93)—Proprietary rights -Susceptibilities of the jungle tribes (94)—Podu cultivation. Administration (95)—In Rampa—In the rest of the Agency (96)—River transit rules (97)—Fire-protection—Artificial reproduction (97); casuarina—Mangrove Introduction of exotics, etc. General Character of the Forests—On the coast—In the uplands (99)— In Polavaram and Yellavaram—In Rampa (100)—In Bhadrichalam— Timber and the market for it (101)—Minor forest produce— Forest revenue 92-101 ​ CHAPTER VI.
OCCUPATIONS AND TRADE.
Arts and Industries (page 102) — Silk-weavers — Cotton-weavers (103) ; their numbers — Their methods — Tape-weaving (104) — Gunny-weaving — Cotton-dyeing — Chintz-stamping (105) — Mats and tattis — Metal-work — Painting (106) — Pith-work— Musical instruments — Wood and stone carving — Ropes (107) — Oils — Tanning — Shoes (108) — Baskets — Bangles — Pottery (109) — Country sugar - Mercury — House-building (no) — Printing-presses —Rice-mills — Indigo factories — Ship-building— Dowlaishweram workshops — District Board Workshops at Cocanada (in)— Samalkot distillery and sugar-factory — Dummagudem lace (112). Trade — Markets — Grain-deal- ing — Exports — Imports (113) — Trade of Cocanada— The harbour — Port conservancy (114) — European business houses at Cocanada (115) — European Chamber of Commerce— Steamers visiting the port — Amount of trade — Character of trade (116). Weights and Measures (117) — Goldsmiths' weights — Commercial weights — Measures of capacity (118) — Miscellaneous commercial notations (120)— Lineal measures — Land measures (121) — Measures of time (122) — Local monetary terms ... ... 102-123
CHAPTER VII.
MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.
Roads — (page 124)— Their length and condition— Quarries — Maintenance, establishment and allotments (125) — Bridges — Ferries (126). Water Carriage (127)— The rivers — Upper Godavari project (128)— Navigable canals (129) ; their history — Expenditure and traffic (130) — Nature of traffic (131) — Conflicting interests of irrigation and navigation (132). Madras Railway. Accommodation for travellers (133)— Bungalows — Chattrams ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 124-134
CHAPTER VIII.
RAINFALL AND SEASONS
Rainfall (page 135). Famine (136) — The conditions existing —Famine in 1791 (137)— The ' Guntiir famine' of 1833 (138) — Distress in 1835-38 (139) — Disasters of 1839-41 (140)— Improvement resulting from the anicut — Scarcity in the Agency, 1897. Inundations by the sea (141) — About 1706 — In 1787 (142) — Its extent and effects — The accompanying hurricane (143) — The landholders' losses — Inundation of 1839. Cyclones (144). Floods- In 1614 (X4<;)— In 1875, 1878, 1882,1883 and 1884— Great flood of 1886— Floods of 1887 and 1892 (146)— Of 1895- 96— Of 1900 (147) 135-147
CHAPTER IX.
PUBLIC HEALTH.
Prey.lent Ijiskases (page 148) — Malaria ; in the Agency — In the uplands (149) — In the delta — Cholera— Small-pox (150) — Other diseases— Sanitation. Medical In.stitutions (151) — Public hospitals and dispensaries — Mission institutions — Institutions in Cocanada— Rajahmundry hospital (152^ 148-152 ​ CHAPTER X.
EDUCATION.
Census Statistics (page 153)— By taluks — By religions. Educational Institutions — Early beginnings — Schools now existing (154) — The Government college, Rajahmundry — The Government training college, Rajahraundry (156) — The Pithapuram Raja's College (157) ... 153-159
CHAPTER XI.
LAND REVENUE ADMINISTRATION.
Early History (page 160) -The zamindars — Their administration (i6i)— The havili land — Committee of Circuit, 1785-87 (162) — Settlement with the zamindars in 1879 (163)— Abolition °f ^^^ Chiefs and Councils, 1794 — Collectors of the ;^c^;^7^ land. The Permanent Settlement, 1802-03 (164) — Its failure (165) — Its effect on the ryots (166)— Special Commis- sioner appointed, 1S43 (167). Ryotwari Settlements — Before 1865 — Settlement of 1865-66 (169) — Its scope (170) — Grouping of villages — Classification of soils— Standard crops, grain outturns, commutation prices — Cultivation expenses and money rates (171) — Financial results — Water- rate in the delta (172) — The existing settlement ; its scope — Reclassifica- tion of delta soils — Water-rate problems (173) — Settlement of wild tracts (174) —Financial results — Bhadrachalam taluk — Proprietary rights (175) — Fixing of the peshkash — Settlement of 1890 in Bhadrachalam (176) — Agency tracts and rented villages (177). District and Divisional Limits (178). Village Establishments— Re-organized in 1866 — Revised in 18S5 (179). INAMS (180) 160-180
CHAPTER XII.
SALT, ABKARI AND MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE.
Salt (page 181) — The systems of administration — Methods of manufacture (182) — Markets — Salt for Vanam — Fish-curing yards (183) — Contraband salt-earth.- Abkaki and Opium — Arrack— Arrack in the Agency (184) — Toddy (185)— Toddy in the Agency — Foreign liquor — Opium and hemp- drugs— In the Agency (186). Customs — Land-customs — Sea-customs (187). Income-tax. Stamps 181-187
CHAPTER XIII.
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
Early Methods (page 188) — Under native rule — Under the Chiefs and Councils. The Present System (189) — In the plains— In the Agency. Civil Justice (191)— Existing Courts — Amount of litigation — Registration. Criminal Justice — The various Courts — Crime (192) — The Vanadis or Nakkalas — Other criminal classes (193). Police (194) — Former systems— The existing force. Jails (195) ... ••• •■• ... 188-195 ​ CHAPTER XIV.
LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT.
The Local Boards (page 196) — The Unions (197) — Finances of the Boards. The Two Municipalities — Cocanada municipality — Kajahmundry municipality (198) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 196-199
CHAPTER XV.
GAZETTEER.
Amalapuram taluk (page 200) — Amalapuram (201) — Ambajipcta — Ayinavalli (202) — Banddrulanka — Bendamiirlanka — Gannavaram — Kesanakuriu (203) — Mandapalli Muramalla — Palivela — Peruru (204) — Rali (205) — Vadapalli — Vanapalli — Vyagresvarapuram (206). Cocanada Taluk (207) — Bhimavaram— Chollangi (208)— Cocanada — Coringa (210) — Gollapalaiyam (212) — Injaram — Nilapalli (213) — Samalkot — Sarpavaram (214) — Tallarevu (215) — Yanam Nagaram Taluk (217) — Aniarvedi — Jagannapeta (218) — Kadali (219) — Nagaram — Rajavolu — Sivakodu — Tatipaka (220). Pedda- PURAM Taluk (221) — Annavaram — DhiramalUipuram — Tagammapeta (222) — Kandrakota — Ivattipudi — Kirlampudi — Peddapuram — ■ Prattipadu (224) — Ragampeta (225) — Ratigampeta — Talh'iru — Totapalli — Viravaram (226) — Yelesvaram. Pithapuram Division (227) — Chandurti — Kotta- palli (232) — Mulapeta — Pithapuram (233) — Ponnada (239) — Uppada. Rajahaiundry Taluk (240) — Dowlaishweram — Gokavaram (242) — Korukonda — Kottapalli (243) — Rajahmundry. Ramachandrapuram Taluk (249) — Bikkavolu — Draksharamam (250)— Gangavaram (252) — Kotipalli — Maredipaka (253) — Ramachandrapuram — Ramaghatt;ilu — Vegayammapeta (254). TuNi Division (255)— Bendapiidi — Hamsavaram (256) — Kottapalli — Talliiru —Tatipaka — Tetagunta — Tuni. Bhadra- CHALAM Taluk (258) — Bhadrachalam (259) — Dummagudem (262) — Gundala — Kumarasvamigudem (263) — Kunnavaram — Parnasala — Rekapalle — SriRamagiri (265). Chodavaram Division (266)— Bandapalli— Biram- palli (267) — Boduh'iru — Bolagonda — Chavala — Chiduguru — Chodavaram (268) — Chopakonda — Dandangi - Dorachintalapalem — Geddada — Kakuru — Kondamodalu (269) — Kundada — Marrivada —Musurumilli (270) — Xedunuru — Nimmalapalem -Palem Pamuleru -Peta -Rampa — Sirigindalapadu(276) — Tadepalli — Tunmiru (277)— Vadapalli — Velagapalli — Valamiiru— Vemula- konda, Polavaram Division (278) — Gangolu Gutala — Jangareddi- giidem (279) — Pata Pattisam — Polavaram (2S0) Taduvayi (283). Yella- VARAM Division (284)— Addaligela— Anigeru (285)— Dutcharti— Gurtedu (286) — Jaddangi — Rota (287) — Mohanapuram — Nellipudi— Pandrapole — Ramavaram — Virabhadrapuram (288) .. ... ... ... ... ... 200-288
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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