Queen Victoria’s reign marked the huge growth of British rule, additionally massive political and socio-economic modifications in the UK. After East India Firm was dissolved, the management was taken over by the British and he or she was proclaimed because the Empress of India in 1876.
Eight months later, the primary Delhi Durbar befell with pomp to mark the event. The rule exerted racist colonial energy over India, nevertheless, she had a smooth nook for 3 Indians in her courtroom: Victoria Gowramma of Coorg, Maharaja Duleep Singh of Punjab, and Abdul Karim, who was despatched by East India Firm to serve the queen however went on to turned her confidant.
Eleven-year-old Gowramma had reached England in March 1852 alongside together with her father, Chikka Veerarajendra, the ousted final ruler of Coorg. Duleep Singh was 16 when he reached England. Each obtained western schooling and adopted Christianity. Each children had been common invitees to royal occasions and socialised with the royal youngsters. Queen Victoria who had stood sponsor to Gowramma and introduced herself as Godmother, even gave ‘Victoria’ to the Indian royal. Queen and Prince Albert tried to result in an alliance between two Indian royals who had transformed to Christianity, which in flip might have popularised the faith within the British territories. How the historical past of the continent would have been formed had that marriage taken place?
Not like the Maharajas of Punjab, the Coorg royals’ legacy shouldn’t be well-known. An alluring hill station within the Western Ghats, wealthy in its pure magnificence and historical past. The pristine land bears the footprints of its mysterious inhabitants as a number of the pre-historic stone buildings courting again over 3,000 years have been discovered right here. Its documented historical past particulars the appearance of Lingayat rulers, who accorded the area a royal patronage earlier than the British took over and remained there, until India turned unbiased.
The fascinating tales of Rajas, Sahibs and freedom fighters of the area come alive within the eponymous e-book written by C.P. Belliappa. The land of courageous Kodavas was out to have a separate identification in unbiased India, and did have it until 1956, when it was merged with Karnataka. Beliappa has extensively researched and written in regards to the land and its individuals. In his newest providing, he carries on with the tales of the area, the attractive story of Gowramma, her father Veerarajendra and his 13 wives, well-known Britishers together with Sir Mark Cubbon – after whom the enduring park is called in Bengaluru (His statue was shifted a number of occasions, lastly arriving within the eponymous park), writer’s personal nice nice nice grandfather, Dewan Chepudira Ponnappa- dewan throughout Veerarajandra’s regime. Considered one of Ponnappa’s great-great grandsons C.M. Ponnapa (writer’s father) was elected as chief minister of Coorg. Dewan Ponnappa’s great-great-granddaughter’s son Ok.S. Thimayya was the third Chief of Military Employees of India.
The e-book has three elements: the primary one chronicles the historical past of Coorg; second, particulars the lifetime of Gowramma and about additional hyperlinks the writer established with the descendants of Veerarajandra, for the reason that publication of his earlier e-book – Victoria Gowramma: The Misplaced Princess of Coorg. The third half is dedicated to occasions that befell through the freedom battle and different political developments, together with the merger of Coorg with Karnataka.
The e-book is wealthy in anecdotes and analysis shines via its pages. Belliappa had finished an incredible service by completely investigating the story of Gowramma about not a lot was recognized. The succinctly written e-book makes for an engrossing studying and it’ll fascinate historical past buffs. Do learn this e-book earlier than you head to Coorg for a trip, it is going to be an enriching journey.
Coorg Tales and Essays
Creator: C.P. Belliappa
Writer: Rupa
Value: Rs 395
Pages: 250
