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856
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[DECEMBER, 1887.
A SELECTION OF KANARESE BALLADS. By J. F. FLEET, Bo.C.S., M.R.A.S., C.L.E.
(Continued from Vol. XV. p. 873.) No. 3.-THE BEDAS OF HALAGALI. to enforce the orders. The facts were then This ballad, the scene of which is laid at the reported to the Political Agent for the State, village of Hatagali, belonging to the Mudho who, if the song is to be relied on, first tried State, in the Southern Marathi Country, conciliatory measures, by despatching a man relates to the general disarming measures of considerable local influence, the Gauda that were enforced in the British Districts, and or Padil Krishnanayaka of a neighbouring vil. Native States under Political Superintendence, lage, Kundargi, to speak to the insurgents and in consequence of the Mutiny of 1857.
bring them to their senses. After the passing of the Disarming Act, No. This attempt failed. An endeavoar was then XXVIII. of 1857, "An Act relating to the made to compel obedience by means of the importation, manufacture, and sale of Arms Mounted Police. This step also was unsuccessand Ammunition, and for regulating the right ful; and the Mounted Police were fired on and to keep or use the same," the East India compelled to retreat. No resource then remained, Company,-the Kumpani-sarkúr of the opening except to despatch & detachment of the verse of the song, -issued orders for the con- regular forces. Accordingly, & party of the fiscation of all weapons of every description, Southern Maráthâ Horse, and a Company of possessed by the populace at large. This, of the 28th Regiment, Bombay N. I, were sen
rge was a great blow to the people, who to Halagali; the former being accompanied by were not even yet fully accustomed to the the Adjutant, Lieut. William Alexander Kert, security of the British rule. Still, nearly (24th Bombay N. I.), -the "fire-brand" Kareverywhere the orders were carried out, and
sdheb of the song. And with this force there the desired end was attained, peaceably enough.
went, in a Political capacity, Mr. William The Mudhof State itself had taken no part in
Henry Havelock, of the Bombay Civil Service, the mutiny; and remained loyal on the pre
--the Hebalak-sdheb of the song.--who then sent occasion also. But, incited by the four held the post of First Assistant to the Collector men, Päjari-Hanama, Bala, Jadaga, and Rama,
and District Magistrate of Belgaum; and who who are mentioned in the song, the Bodas of made one more effort to induce the Bedas to Halagali, a village in that State, refused submit quietly, without necessitating the adopto surrender their arms, and raised a small
tion of extreme measures. His endeavours, local rebellion. The Bêdas, it may be men
however, were frustrated by the ringleaders of tioned, are professional hunters; they live by
the disturbance; and he was fired at, and the chase, and, more than any other class,
apparently was wounded.' A regular assault would resent the measures that were being
was then made; and, with a small logs on the enforced; they are of a low caste, and mostly
part of the Bedas, and a few wounded on the of a turbulent disposition; and the majority
British side, the village was taken, and was of them are always ready to join in ruch crimes
burned as a punishment and an example. 85 dnooity and highway robbery, and in any
TRANSLATION. mischief that may be afoot. The Bodas of the village in question first refused to surrender Choru.-See now! Hard times have come their arms in the usual manner, through the on those who carry arms! (Eren) the heroes of authorities of the Mudho! State ; and resisted Halagali, high-spirited men though they are), with violence the subordinates who were sent failed to attain their ends !
For a brief notice of the affair, see West's Memoir when he died from typo-remittent fever, contracted of the States of the Southern Maráthe Country (Seleo- during a tour in the Rains, when, A Revenue and tions from the Bombay Government Records, New Police Commissioner of the Southern Division, he was Series, No. CXIII.) p. 169.
superintending measures for mitigating the effects of the The rong says he was killed. This, however, is Famine that was then commencing.-It need hardly be piece of exaggeration : evidently for the purpose of in- said that the epithets applied to him by Jadega in the crossing the reputed powers of the insurgenta. Helsong. are quite unmerited. continued in the service up to the 1st November. 1876:1 hit, "did not reach the shore."
