# The Aristocracy of Southern India/Chapter 10

SRI RAJAH K. R. V. KRISHNA RAO BAHADUR, B. A.,
ZEMINDAR OF POLAVARAM
(GODAVARI DISTRICT).
Sri Rajah K. R. V. Krishna Rao Bahadur, b. a., Zemindar of Polavaram, who has a bold and enterprising spirit, and the most remarkable versatility of genius, is the only graduate of the aristocracy in Northern Circars. He has become a very prominent figure in Southern India, by the initiative he invariably takes in almost all public movements, and has acquired a good reputation for his untiring energy and unflagging zeal in any matter of importance that he sets his heart upon.
The family from which Sri Rajah Krishna Rao Bahadur has sprung is of great antiquity, wealth, and influence. One of the members of the family, Mr. Venkata Razu Garu, held the important and respectable post of Sheristadar in the Krishna and the Godavari Districts. He had four sons, viz., Venkatarayaningar, Ramanna Garu, Pedda Subbarayaningar, and Chinna Subbarayaningar. The family being undivided, all the brothers lived together. The father, Mr. Venkata Razu Garu, out of the money he had laid by, bought a small estate in the Krishna District, and his eldest son, Venkatarayaningar, a man of much influence and tact, acquired large estates, and in course of time his fame for charity, large heartedness, and generous instincts was spread far and wide. He constructed choultries at stated intervals from Rajahmundry, his head quarters, to Benares; and it would appear that he twice distributed ​
Sri Rajah K. R. V. Krishna Rao Bahadur. B. A.
​ Kamayamma Garu, the adoptive mother of Krishna Rao, was universally known for her virtue and charity. Her charity was not of the old and orthodox style, but quite in keeping with modern requirements, for she educated a number of men, most of whom are now graduates holding decent posts. What she gave away was such as to extend its usefulness to every portion of the District. Choultries and various other useful institutions established by her are the living monuments of her philanthropy and noble-mindedness.
Mr. Krishna Rao was born on the 11th November 1871, at Polavaram, in the Godavari District. While a boy of five years, he was as we have said, adopted by his mother's sister, Kamayamma Garu. He received the rudimentary portion of his education in Telugu and Sanskrit at home. The Government of Madras found that the estate was very efficiently managed by Kamayamma Garu, but the only thing that called for their remark was that the minor Zemindar was not properly educated. As she was very fond of her son it was with a pang that she sent him to Rajahmundry in 1884 for education. Soon after he joined a public school there, his intelligence shone forth with so much lustre that he gained a great reputation among the boys and teachers. With surprising rapidity he passed the Matriculation Examination in ]887. He had the capacity and inclination to learn everything that came in his way, nor was there any branch of knowledge that he despised; yet he was most inclined to mathematics and literature. In process of time when he began the study of literature and history with greater application he was looked upon as a coming man in the literary field. He joined the F. A. class of the ​Rajahmundry College in 1888. In August of that year his adoptive mother died, which disturbed his studies for the remaining portion of the year. Notwithstanding the many impediments that stood in his way he joined the College the following year to resume his course of study. The adoption was just then threatened by an upstart, named Venkata Razu, who had nothing to do with the family. Unfortunately Mr. Krishna Rao's study was again disturbed, and he could not attend college as he had to contend in the suit. Owing to this cause and owing also to his protracted illness, he could not continue his studies till 1891, towards the end of which year the suit was disposed of favorably to him. He was then in a settled mind, and was in a condition to resume his collegiate course. With a mind resolved to take the degree at any cost—fortunately nothing interfered with him—he joined the F. A. class of the Madras Christian College, and passed the F. A. Examination in 1893. The year following he joined the B. A. class, and passed both the Language branches in 1896. About September of that year he was suddenly taken ill—so ill that his life was despaired of—which continued the whole of 1897. The following year he spent in recruiting his health, and in 1900 he appeared for the History branch, and came out successfully. After taking the degree he took charge of. the estate, and made Cocanada his head-quarters.
Being actuated with a historical interest he lately travelled all over India. With the Science College in Poona he has been greatly impressed. This, he is of opinion, is a very useful and practical institution. Of the Ferguson College his impression is no less enthusiastic. Sarvajanic Sabha, he says, is a very well attended and ​patriotic institution unlike the so called institutions in Southern India that come to the notice of the people periodically, and seldom do any work to promote public utility.
He is an advocate of social reform, and as such has no objection to foreign travel. He once arranged to go to England for higher education; he purchased passage, outfit, &c., but was advised by doctors not to venture on a sea voyage as he was just then in poor health. As regards the National Congress Mr. Krishna Rao is of opinion that there should be a political agitation on constitutional and moderate basis. He admits that some of the members go out of the way, but he sympathises heart and soul with the movement. He has the highest respect for Mr. A. O. Hume, whose whole-hearted devotion to the political salvation of India, he greatly admires. He has an equal sympathy with the aims of the social conference; but he is afraid that it has not been a success as most of the resolutions passed are not carried out practically. He has a very great admiration for Veerasalingam Puntulu Garu, Rai Bahadur, as the only man who has the courage of his convictions.
In 1895 he started a society called the Andhra-bhashojjeevani (society for the resuscitation of Telugu literature) of which he was the Vice-President for about two years, while the Hon. Mr. Anandacharlu was the President.
There had been a Telugu journal published in Rajahmundry by Mr. N. Subba Rao, some years ago and when that was removed to Madras to be edited by Rai Bahadur Veerasalingam Puntulu Garu, Mr. Krishna Kao started a magazine known as the Saraswati in 1898. He has been ​conducting the journal very ably by publishing ancient literature that had not been printed and also by supplying various kinds of useful information.
He paid a donation of Rupees 1,000, last year, to the "Widows' Home" started by Rai Bahadur Veerasalingam Puntulu Garu, at Madras. He has established a hospital at Polavaram, and this is very useful to all the neighbouring villages. There is a choultry at Kottapalli, near Cocanada, established by his mother, which he maintains. Every educational movement in the District finds in him a patron.
It was at his instance that a grand industrial exhibition was held last year at Cocanada, the first of its kind in the annals of the District. He helped a great deal towards the success of the District Conference and the Provincial Conference.
He is always busy with his books and journals, and suffers not a day to pass without adding something or other to his store of knowledge. He is very well informed on almost all the topics of the day. Affable and courtly in his manners he has all the accomplishments of a perfect gentleman. He is one of the best products of half a century of Western education, and the most sanguine expectations of his preceptors have been amply realised. His life has thus far justified the high promise of his early youth.