History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c41.353

v2.c41.353

We must now go back to events in the Mayurbhañja State following the death of Rājā Dāmodar Bhañja. Stonehouse, the Collector of Medinipur, writing on the 28th May, 1796, states that he sent an order to the *Thānahdār* of Jānpur or Jahānpur asking him to make enquiries regarding the Mayurbhañja State. The latter reports that Rājā Dāmodar Bhañja left eleven married wives, four of whom immolated themselves with their husband. Before his death the Rājā ordered that the *Pātrānī* Sumitrā, should be placed on the *masnad*. Dāmodar Bhañja left no children and Sumitrā Deī was about 35 years of age. The nearest relation of Dāmodar Bhañja was one Sureśwar Bhañja, whose grandfather was a brother of Dāmodar Bhañja’s grandfather. His age was about thirty, but as he was illegitimate the late Rājā never used to eat with him. One Bairāgī Bhañja (spelt Birhaggy Bhañja) was also a relation of Dāmodar Bhañja, but not on good terms with him. He was adopted as a third son (*Rāvat Rāi*), he was thirty-five years of age and was acquainted with business, which Sureśwar Bhañja was not. This Bairāgī was appointed by Sumitrā Deī as the manager of her concerns.