The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c11.145

c11.145

The Kittur state was held by Lingáyat desáis. The founders of the family are said to have been two brothers, both bearing the name of Malla, to which one prefixed the epithet Hiré or elder, and the other that of Chikka or younger. They were originally merchants, but are said to have distinguished themselves in the Bijápur army and eventually the family obtained a grant from the Bijápur kings of the sar deshmukhi of the Hubli district, after which they settled at Kittur. On the fall of Bijápur the Kittur desáis became vassals of the Sávanur nawáb, and when the power of that chief was circumscribed they became tributaries to the Peshwa. Kittur suffered much during the campaigns between Mysor and the Maráthás, and for a time had to transfer its allegiance to the former power. Tipu twice took the place, and on one of these occasions carried off the desai Mallapa. Mallapa made his escape and joined the Marathas, who recovered his territory but appropriated it to themselves, putting the desai on an allowance. During the confusion consequent on the death of the Peshwa Mahadev Rao, the desai managed to drive out the Maratha mamlatdar and resume possession; subsequently, in the war of 1803, he assisted General Wellesley with a small contingent, and thereby obtained the powerful mediation of the latter, who brought about a settlement of his affairs. In 1809 the desai succeeded in obtaining a sanad from the Peshwa confirming him in possession of the taluka of Kittur, on condition of the yearly payment of £17,500 (Rs. 1,75,000) and of maintaining a contingent. There is little doubt that this grant would have been ere long resumed had it not been for the fall of the Peshwa not many years after. When the war with Baji Rao broke out the desai showed himself well disposed towards the English, and was confirmed in the possession of his state on favourable terms by General Munro.