History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c41.330.3

v2.c41.330.3

The next year the Collector seized these eighty-one villages and annexed them to the district of Medinipur. A *Wakil* was sent to the Governor and the latter wrote to the Collector of Medinipur, but the Collector paid no heed to it. It appears that on the arrival of Chimnājī Bāpu complaints were sent to him and Rājārām Mukund Pandit, who came to Calcutta. Rājārām Pandit promised to write to his *Wakil* about it. John Shore, as Acting President of the Council, decided that it was difficult to determine clearly upon the rights of the two parties but "the proof rather preponderates in favour of the Mohrbunge Rājā." Further on, he states the "If the matter of the right between the zamindar of Beloorichor and the Rājā of Mayurbhanja is uncertain, it is equally difficult to determine to whom the revenues belong, to the Company or to the Marathas. The *Wakil* of the Mayurbhañja Rājā affirms he pays and has ever paid them at Balasore to the Marathas together with the rent of Remuna.”¹ On this report the application of Dāmodar Bhañja was sent to the Board of Revenue. The Governor-General in Council decided on the 26th April, 1782, to prosecute the inquiry further. Finally the claim of the Mayurbhañja Rājā was rejected by Warren Hastings, but we do not know which “Nobkisen” or “Gungagovind” prompted the order (13th July, 1782).