History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c41.344

v2.c41.344

There is a gap in the sequence of events which cannot be filled up. On the last occasion we saw that Dāmodar Bhañja had failed to pay revenues for Nayabasan and his three parganahs made Khās or sequestrated. Now we find him regarded as a loyal zamindar in whose aid troops were sent against refractory hill Tālukdārs. Evidently he had paid up his arrears of revenue and therefore was replaced as zamindar of Nayabasan, Rain and Maubandar. Dowdeswell wrote again on the 30th January regarding Kissen Singh and Arjun Singh. The report from Collins dated 29th January contained the information that these Sardārs plundered the village of Nagule about three days ago. Two small parties were sent to Bolah and Mypaul belonging to these two Sardārs, where they were attacked and rescued on the arrival of Collins. The depredators left about 120 or 130 cattle behind and the Sepoys burnt the villages. The next morning some tenants who had joined the rebels returned. On hearing of the firing Rājā Dāmodar Bhañja sent some of his pāiks and desired Collins to sell the cattle and to give the proceeds of sale to the Sepoys. Dowdeswell replied on the 30th requesting Collins to arrest Kissen Singh and Arjun Singh. The entire correspondence was forwarded by the Board to the Governor-General in Council on the 15th February and the latter ordered on the 22nd that action taken by the Collector of Medinipur was approved.