The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c11.156

c11.156

The Nipáni chief, though he had six wives, had no son. As there was no genuine heir it was determined to introduce a supposititious one, and accordingly in 1831, Tái Bái, one of the chief's wives, left the fort and went to reside in a house in the town, giving out that she was with child and wished to be delivered there. A widow, who was really in this condition, was introduced into the house and there gave birth to a male child which was immediately passed off by Tái Bái as her son, the unfortunate mother being made away with for fear of her subsequently claiming the child or divulging the imposture. These facts were brought to the notice of Government, which, taking into consideration the chief's age and former services, waived their right to resume the saranjám at once, but informed him that in consequence of the fraud that had been proved against him the saranjám would lapse on his death whether he left male heirs or not. Accordingly, on the death of the chief in 1839, the saranjám estate was at once resumed¹ and the districts and villages composing it were divided between the collectorates of Dhárwár Belgaum and Sholápur. The net revenue was estimated at £18,369 (Rs. 1,83,690) but much of the land was waste, so that the revenue under proper management would have been far larger. The territory was brought under the regulations by Act VI. of 1842.