History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c41.351

v2.c41.351

Dowdeswell wrote from Medinipur, on the 15th of March, 1793, that as an order had been issued for the arrest of Rājā Dāmodar Bhañja, the latter had fled to the hilly parts of his principality with 600 armed men. Dāmodar Bhañja paid revenue irregularly, but he was still in possession of Nayabasan, and even at that date the Collector of Medinipur recommends the attachment of his zamindari in British territory. On the 20th of March, 1793, the same officer forwarded an extract of a report received from the Officer Commanding the detachment in *Thānah* Jahānpur or Jānpur. We find from this report that three or four parties of Dāmodar Bhañja’s soldiers and *Chuārs* had been posted around the *Thānah* with permission from the Rājā to plunder. They took away two bullocks for the carriage of spare ammunition from near Gopīballabhpur and two men travelling with the bullocks were killed. He has received re-inforcements and will be able to assist the *Tahṣīldār*. The same officer, whose name was Lieut. O’Donell, sent a second report, a copy of which was forwarded to the Board of Revenue by the Collector on the 22nd. O’Donell states in the second report that Rājā Dāmodar Bhañja and his people are frightening away tenants from their villages and these people are flying into Dholbhum. A sepoy was sent in disguise and brought the report that there was a large *chaukī* of Rājā’s soldiers nearby. The Board directed the Collector of Medinipur to attack his zamindari and sent the correspondence to the Governor-General in Council for orders. Lord Cornwallis, the Governor-General, ordered, on the 29th March, 1793, the attachment of the zamindari of Rājā Dāmodar Bhañja unless he delivered himself up within twelve days. Another report from Lieut. O’Donell, dated Gopīballabhpur the 27th May, 1793, was forwarded to the Board of Revenue by Dowdeswell on the 29th. O’Donell reports that on that date he received an Oriya letter from the Jamādar of a party of Maratha horse and foot stating that he had received orders to take possession of the place and inquiring whether the English Commander had any objection to that. O'Donell requested him to draw back and sent for orders. Dowdeswell wrote immediately on the 29th to O'Donell asking about the strength of the Maratha detachment and ordering him to repel any encroachment on the Company's territories. At that time the Maratha detachment was at a place called Sasura, which Dowdeswell regarded as being "dependent on the Company's territory." The Governor-General in Council approved the steps taken by Dowdeswell in the discharge of his duties (letter, dated 7th June, 1793).