History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c41.333

Language: English

v2.c41.333.1

1783, to determine in what relation Rājā Dāmodar Bhañja of Mayurbhañja stood to the Company's Government of Bengal and the Maratha Government in Orissa. A report received from J. Dynely, Superintendent of Revenue or Collectors, dated 25th November of the same year, contains very valuable information about Dāmodar Bhañja. A report was received by Dynely from Captain Hamilton, who commanded at Jaleswar, that Dāmodar Bhañja was collecting a large force to plunder the Company's districts on the other side of the Suvarṇarekhā and was assisting the Rājā of Bogri. Mudhoji Bhonsle also wanted to crush him. Rājārām Pandit was at Nilgiri with a large army trying to reduce Dāmodar, but he would not succeed. Rājārām applied for flints to Captain Hamilton, but the latter could not supply them. Captain Vincent, who commanded a battalion of the 16th Regiment, wrote to Captain Hamilton that he sent a *Harkarah* to Dāmodar Bhañja, who sent a civil reply. On receiving these reports Warren Hastings as Governor-General in Council wrote to the Board desiring to propose joint action against Rājā Dāmodar Bhañja. Captain Vincent reported that on the 12th December of the same year the *Chuads* of Dampari and Kuliapal had stated that they would discharge their arrears of revenue when Rājā Dāmodar Bhañja would do so.

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On the 24th December Captain Vincent reported to Dynely that he had received a letter from Dāmodar Bhañja expressing his intention to make terms and pay arrears of revenue and that for this purpose the former intended to proceed to Jānpur the next day. A copy of Captain Vincent's letter was forwarded to the Board on the 17th. A report from Vincent to Dynely states that Dāmodar Bhañja plundered the *Parganah* of Jānpur and compelled the Company's zamindar to co-operate with him. Captain Vincent wrote to Rājā Raghunāth Nārāyaṇ of Pachet and Rājā Chaitan Singh of Vishnupur to supply him with provisions on the 19th December. On the 15th January, 1784, Mānikchānd, *Thānahdār*, sent a petition, a copy of which was forwarded to the Board by Dynely. Mānikchānd reported that when he sent out summons to the *Parganah* of Nayabasan Rājā Dāmodar Bhañja caused all inhabitants to desert their homes. His son Balabhadra Bhañja resided at Nayabasan but did not appear. He sent a *Wakil* to state that his master would not be able to appear in person. On the 18th January, 1784, Lieut. Radcliffe reported that Mānikchānd *Thānahdār* requested him to come to Nayabasan to oppose Rājā Dāmodar Bhañja. In his *'Arzī* Mānikchānd states that Rājā Dāmodar Bhañja was ready to pay Rs. 3000 as revenue but as soon as he heard that Captain Vincent had moved to Bogri he evaded payment.

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Dāmodar Bhañja had married the daughter of Bhubanmaṇi Deī of Kiyārchānd in *Thānah* Jānpur and possessed himself of her fort and zamindari and appointed one Dinabandhu Kumār to the charge of the fort. Lieut. Radcliffe wanted to proceed to Nayabasan but permission was refused. In a report dated 1st February, 1784, Radcliffe informed Dynely that he had received a letter from Rājā Dāmodar Bhañja stating that he intended to send his relation Kāśināth Bhañja to settle the arrears of revenue, and this person arrived at Nayabasan but evaded appearance. In a second report from Radcliffe dated 24th February he sought permission to cross the Subarṇarekhā as Mānikchānd informed him that Rājā Dāmodar Bhañja had sent re-inforcements to that place. Dynely informed the Board on the 1st May, 1784, that Chitra Singh, the zamindar of Bogri, surrendered voluntarily to Captain Hamilton and the Chuāḍ chief, Subla Singh of Kuliapal, had been taken prisoner, but Dāmodar Bhañja had not paid any revenue. In a letter dated 15th July, 1784, Dynely sent a petition from Rājā Dāmodar Bhañja to the Board in which the former states that in Mughal times Rs. 1700 was paid as revenue for Nayabasan, Rain and Mowbbadar but it was increased to Rs. 3200 by Mr. Fergusson. Rs. 1000 more was included in this amount as Nazarānā. He therefore agreed to pay Rs. 3200 for Nayabasan, etc. Dynely was directed to accept Rs. 3200 annually for these three Parganahs.