Bobbili Fort: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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The history of Bobbili can be traced to 1652, when [[Sher Muhammad Khan]], [[Fouzdar]] of the [[Nawab of Srikakulam]] under the [[Nizam of Hyderabad|Nizam]], had come to the [[Vizianagaram district]]. He was then accompanied by Peddarayadu, the 15th scion of the Rajas of Venkatagiri, of Velama community and the ancestor of the present Raja of Bobbili, and Pusapati Madhava Varma, the ancestor of Vijayanagram family who were rivals.{{Sfn|Francis|2002|p=252}}<ref name=Tiger>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/02/stories/2002090200940200.htm|title=The tiger of Bobbili|date =2 September 2002|accessdate=9 March 2016|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> In one version it is said that the Nawab, pleased with the gallant services rendered by him, granted land holdings to Peddarayalu. Peddarayalu then constructed a fort and named it "Bobbili", meaning "the royal tiger", as a token of appreciation for the benevolent gift of the Nawab was known as "Sher" (meaning "tiger").{{Sfn|Francis|2002|p=252}} In another version it is said that Rayudu's son Lingappa chose Bobbili as his capital, built a fort and established a town there, and named it "Pedda-puli" (meaning "big tiger"); this name eventually changed to Pebbuli and then Bebbuli, finally to become Bobbili. During this period Sher Khan's son was abducted and Lingappa rescued him. In appreciation, Sher Khan gifted 12 villages to Lingappa and gave him the title "Ranga Rao". Lingappa was succeeded by his adopted son, Vengal Ranga Rao, who was then succeeded by his son Rangapati. Rangapati's son, Rayadappa, adopted Gopalakrishna who took over the reigns from his father.<ref name=Tiger/><ref name=Raja>{{Cite web|title = Vizianagaram|url = http://aptourism.gov.in/index.php/vizianagaram|website = aptourism.gov.in|accessdate = 9 March 2016|publisher=Tourism Department of Government of Andhra Pradesh}}</ref> At the time of building the old fort a Muslim saint had warned the two royal brothers of the Bobbili family that the place they had chosen to build the fort was ill-fated but they ignored this warning.{{Sfn|Handelman|2013|p=133}} |
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| ⚫ | It was during Gopalakrishna's reign in 1753, that the [[Nizam of Hyderabad]] gave [[Northern Circars]] to the [[France|French]]. The then French General [[Marquis de Bussy-Castelnau|Charles Bussy]] leased Chicacole and [[Rajahmundry]] circles to Pedda Viziarama Raju, the Raja of Vizianagaram. This resulted in break up of relations between General Bussy and the Nizam with General Bussy losing his importance.<ref name=Tiger/> At this time there was rivalry between the chiefs of Babbli and Vizianagaram. In 1756 there was rebellion among the local chieftains which necessitated strong military measures. General Bussy attacked the rebel forces with a contingent of European forces, supported by 11,000 troops of the Raja of Vizianagaram as mark of his loyalty. Raja of Vizianagaram instigated General Bussy by a canard stating that the Raja of Bobbili was behind the rebellion. General Bussy was cautious and made an offer to the chief of Bobbli that he would be pardoned if he moved away from Bobbli and as a compensatory package would be provided equivalent land elsewhere. But this was not acceptable to the Chief of Bobbli. Then Bassi attacked the fort several times, created breaches in the mud fort, used cannon, and took control of the ramparts of the fort. As the defenders realized their precarious condition, killed their wives and families, fought fiercely but eventually lost the battle. When Bussy entered the fort with his depleted strength of soldiers he found dead bodies scatted in fort area. At that time an old man approached Bussy and handed over a child who he said was the son of the dead Raja of Bubbli. Three days after this event, the Raja of Vizianagaram's camp was attacked in the night by three people of Bobbli which included [[Tandra Paparayudu]] who had rushed to the demolished Bobbli fort on receiving the news to help his sister's family. He killed the Raja and then committed suicide along with his accomplices.<ref name=Tiger/><ref name=Fort/> On 24 January 1757 the members of the Bobbili family who survived the war were Raja's brother Vengal Ranga Rao, also called Chinna Ranga Rao, and his baby son.{{Sfn|Francis|1992|p=241}} They first escaped to [[Bhadrachalam]]. Two years later, in 1759, they were offered their old holdings in the presence of colonel Ford by Ananda Raju of Vizayanagaram at [[Masulipatam]]. The compromise formula evolved under which Bobbili royals returned to Bobbili was for them to receive the Kavit and Rajam taluks and the fort area for an annuity lease value of Rs 20,000. After they returned, Vengal Ranga Rao died three years later and thereafter his son lived for two years, and was succeeded by Chinna Ranga Rao, also known as Venkata Ranga Rao. After four years, in 1766, Sitaram Raja of Vizianagaram, disturbed by the clout of Chinna Ranga Rao arrested him and incarcerated him in the fort at Vizianagaram. However, in 1790 he managed to escape from the prison and reached the [[Nizam of Hyderabad|Nizam]]'s [[Hyderabad]] seeking protection. Later in 1794 Ranga Rao got back his property at the initiative of the Collector of the Northern Division, when Vizinagram Zamindari splintered. He then adopted Rayadappa as his son. After Ranga Rao died in 1801, there were efforts to merge Bobbli with Vizianagaram but these were thwarted and a lasting settlement of the property was agreed with the adopted son of Ranga Rao. Rayadappa and after him his son Svetachalapti who succeeded his father in 1830 lived till 1862; they managed their property very well.{{Sfn|Francis|1992|p=241}} In 1891, a stone monument was erected with inscriptions commemorating the Bobbili tragedy.{{Sfn|Francis|1992|p=241}} |
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It was during Gopalakrishna's reign in 1753, that the [[Nizam of Hyderabad]] gave [[Northern Circars]] to the [[France|French]]. The then French General [[Marquis de Bussy-Castelnau|Charles Bussy]], leased Chicacole and [[Rajahmundry]] circles to Pedda Viziarama Raju, the Raja of Vizianagaram. This resulted in break up of relations between Bussy and the Nizam with Bussy losing his importance.<ref name=Tiger/> |
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| ⚫ | At this time there was rivalry between the chiefs of Babbli and Vizianagaram. In 1756 there was rebellion among the local chieftains which necessitated strong military measures |
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==Features== |
==Features== |
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Revision as of 18:32, 5 June 2016
  Shown within India | |
| Location | Bobbili, Vizianagram District, Andhra Pradesh, India |
|---|---|
| Type | Fortification |
| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Height | 20 feet (6.1 m) |
| History | |
| Founded | Mid 19th century near old ruined fort of the same name built in 1757 |
| Abandoned | Occupied |
| Associated with | Zamindars of Bobbili |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | Zamindars of Bobbili |
The Bobbili Fort built in the middle of 19th century in Bobbili has a historical link to the nearby mud fort of the same name which was destroyed during the Bobbili war in 1757 in a feud between the Rajas of Bobbili and the neighbouring landlord of Vizianagaram.
Chinna Ranga Rao, who survived the Battle of Bobbili (at that time he was a child) was, at a later date, installed as the Rajah of Bobbili. The successors of his lineage constructed the present Bobbili Fort following their improved economic conditions in the middle of the 19th century.
The existing fort covers an area of 10 acres (4.0 ha) and was built by Chinna Ranga Rao after he regained his kingdom which was improved upon by his successors in the mid-19th century. The fort complex has an impressive entrance gate in Indo-Sarcenic architectural style with high dome and many mantapas, Durbar Hall, four major palaces and two temples.
Location
Bobbili is 55 kilometres (34 mi) away from Vizianagaram, which is well-connected by rail, road and air links. The rail head Vizianagaram, a key railway junction, is on the Raipur- Vizianagaram railway line. There is a bridge across Vegavati River which provides access to the area.[1]
History
The history of Bobbili can be traced to 1652, when Sher Muhammad Khan, Fouzdar of the Nawab of Srikakulam under the Nizam, had come to the Vizianagaram district. He was then accompanied by Peddarayadu, the 15th scion of the Rajas of Venkatagiri, of Velama community and the ancestor of the present Raja of Bobbili, and Pusapati Madhava Varma, the ancestor of Vijayanagram family who were rivals.[2][3] In one version it is said that the Nawab, pleased with the gallant services rendered by him, granted land holdings to Peddarayalu. Peddarayalu then constructed a fort and named it "Bobbili", meaning "the royal tiger", as a token of appreciation for the benevolent gift of the Nawab was known as "Sher" (meaning "tiger").[2] In another version it is said that Rayudu's son Lingappa chose Bobbili as his capital, built a fort and established a town there, and named it "Pedda-puli" (meaning "big tiger"); this name eventually changed to Pebbuli and then Bebbuli, finally to become Bobbili. During this period Sher Khan's son was abducted and Lingappa rescued him. In appreciation, Sher Khan gifted 12 villages to Lingappa and gave him the title "Ranga Rao". Lingappa was succeeded by his adopted son, Vengal Ranga Rao, who was then succeeded by his son Rangapati. Rangapati's son, Rayadappa, adopted Gopalakrishna who took over the reigns from his father.[3][4] At the time of building the old fort a Muslim saint had warned the two royal brothers of the Bobbili family that the place they had chosen to build the fort was ill-fated but they ignored this warning.[5]
It was during Gopalakrishna's reign in 1753, that the Nizam of Hyderabad gave Northern Circars to the French. The then French General Charles Bussy leased Chicacole and Rajahmundry circles to Pedda Viziarama Raju, the Raja of Vizianagaram. This resulted in break up of relations between General Bussy and the Nizam with General Bussy losing his importance.[3] At this time there was rivalry between the chiefs of Babbli and Vizianagaram. In 1756 there was rebellion among the local chieftains which necessitated strong military measures. General Bussy attacked the rebel forces with a contingent of European forces, supported by 11,000 troops of the Raja of Vizianagaram as mark of his loyalty. Raja of Vizianagaram instigated General Bussy by a canard stating that the Raja of Bobbili was behind the rebellion. General Bussy was cautious and made an offer to the chief of Bobbli that he would be pardoned if he moved away from Bobbli and as a compensatory package would be provided equivalent land elsewhere. But this was not acceptable to the Chief of Bobbli. Then Bassi attacked the fort several times, created breaches in the mud fort, used cannon, and took control of the ramparts of the fort. As the defenders realized their precarious condition, killed their wives and families, fought fiercely but eventually lost the battle. When Bussy entered the fort with his depleted strength of soldiers he found dead bodies scatted in fort area. At that time an old man approached Bussy and handed over a child who he said was the son of the dead Raja of Bubbli. Three days after this event, the Raja of Vizianagaram's camp was attacked in the night by three people of Bobbli which included Tandra Paparayudu who had rushed to the demolished Bobbli fort on receiving the news to help his sister's family. He killed the Raja and then committed suicide along with his accomplices.[3][6] On 24 January 1757 the members of the Bobbili family who survived the war were Raja's brother Vengal Ranga Rao, also called Chinna Ranga Rao, and his baby son.[7] They first escaped to Bhadrachalam. Two years later, in 1759, they were offered their old holdings in the presence of colonel Ford by Ananda Raju of Vizayanagaram at Masulipatam. The compromise formula evolved under which Bobbili royals returned to Bobbili was for them to receive the Kavit and Rajam taluks and the fort area for an annuity lease value of Rs 20,000. After they returned, Vengal Ranga Rao died three years later and thereafter his son lived for two years, and was succeeded by Chinna Ranga Rao, also known as Venkata Ranga Rao. After four years, in 1766, Sitaram Raja of Vizianagaram, disturbed by the clout of Chinna Ranga Rao arrested him and incarcerated him in the fort at Vizianagaram. However, in 1790 he managed to escape from the prison and reached the Nizam's Hyderabad seeking protection. Later in 1794 Ranga Rao got back his property at the initiative of the Collector of the Northern Division, when Vizinagram Zamindari splintered. He then adopted Rayadappa as his son. After Ranga Rao died in 1801, there were efforts to merge Bobbli with Vizianagaram but these were thwarted and a lasting settlement of the property was agreed with the adopted son of Ranga Rao. Rayadappa and after him his son Svetachalapti who succeeded his father in 1830 lived till 1862; they managed their property very well.[7] In 1891, a stone monument was erected with inscriptions commemorating the Bobbili tragedy.[7]
Features
The existing fort is built over an area of 10 acres (4.0 ha). In 1801, the Bobbili family regained their hereditary property from the Rajas of Vizianagaram; with Chinna Ranga Rao, who survived the Battle of Bobbili (at that time he was a child), getting installed as the Rajah of Bobbili. The successors of his lineage constructed the present Bobbili Fort, following their improved economic conditions, in the middle of the 19th century.[6]
The fort, as built, is in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style as Ranga Rao and his son had probably liked this style when they had fled to Nizam's Hyderabad where they spent more than a decade and a half under the protection of the Nizam.[6] Chinna Ranga Rao had built the oldest part of the main palace with its Saracenic arches supporting the first level.[7]
The facade of the fort has the elegance of a palace with its high walls, 20 feet (6.1 m) high at places, rather than a castle where the Bobbli royal family has lived. The northeastern entry to the fort is a tall domed structure. The entire palace complex covers an area of 40,000 square feet (3,700 m2).[6]
Within the fort area there are four major monuments. These are: the Durbar Hall, the palace of the prince, the palace for guests, and the Raja's palace which is the biggest with three floors where the royal family members live.[6] The Durbar Hall or the main meeting hall is where the Rajas held their crowning ceremonies. The main palace, which has an area of 6,000 square feet (560 m2), also houses a museum and offices of the family.[6]
Within the fort complex there are two temples; one is the family deity of the Venugopala Swamy temple built at the time of founding of Bobbili was founded; and another was erected by Chinna Ranga Rao subsequent to the war, after he got back his territory near his palace. The Gopura or entrance of this temple was built in 1851. Another mandapa built at the centre of a lake is the Vasant Mandapa where according to the local belief god takes a day off with his consort and after this the image of the lord is kept at the Dola Yatra Mandapa on the shores of the lake for one day and then moved back to the main shrine. These mandapas were built in 1825 by Maharaja Krishna Das Ranga Rao. Another functional palace in the fort is the Pooja Mahal, which was built by the former Queen of Bobbili. Opposite to this palace is the Prangmahal, the residence of the Raja, which is very well preserved and decorated with elegant "tapestry, paintings and porcelain" brought from many countries.[1]
References
- ^ a b "Brief History Of Vizianagaram". Vizianagaram District Administration. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
- ^ a b Francis 2002, p. 252.
- ^ a b c d "The tiger of Bobbili". The Hindu. 2 September 2002. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
- ^ "Vizianagaram". aptourism.gov.in. Tourism Department of Government of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
- ^ Handelman 2013, p. 133.
- ^ a b c d e f "Bobbili Fort through the years". Times of India. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
- ^ a b c d Francis 1992, p. 241.
- Bibliography
- Francis, W. (1992). Vizagapatam District Gazetteer. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 978-81-206-0811-5.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Francis, W. (2002). Gazetteer of South India. Mittal Publications. pp. 252–. GGKEY:4Y158YFPNGZ.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Handelman, Don (2013). One God, Two Goddesses, Three Studies of South Indian Cosmology. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-25739-9.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help)