History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c37.38

v2.c37.38

This account, published for the first time, through the favour of the present Rājā of Khurda, shows that Rāmchandra Deva I obtained recognition as *Gajapati* through the personal favour of Rājā Mān Singh and not by valour or position. He was a creation of the Mughal General and had no real claim to sovereignty in any form over any part of Orissa. According to Mughal policy Telinga Rāmachandra, the son of Mukunda Harichandana, should have been recognised as the *Gajapati* after the expulsion of the Afghans. Rājā Mān Singh was a strict business man and he never showed any favour to anybody unless it benefited him personally or his master, the Mughal Emperor. His manipulation of the *gadi-prasāda* in favour of Rāmachandra of Khurda was manifestly obtained by bribery. Yet, by recognising Rāmachandra Deva, he did not harm the Mughal Empire, as he left the yet unconquered Southern portion of Orissa only to the new *Gajapati*. Mughal recognition helped Rāmachandra I to obtain the suzerainty of the Garhjāt Chiefs, however perfunctory, till it was snatched away by the Marathas.