________________
414
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[DECEMBER, 1890.
"On the receipt of this report instructions were given that it should be announced that the British Government did not recognise the adoption, as, if made at all, it was made without sanction, and indeed was as yet unsubstantiated by proofs. Mr. Thackeray therefore was desired to take charge of the principality and to make an inquiry into the circumstances of the adoption. Government, however, declared it to be their intention that if the boy said to have been adopted proved on inquiry to be a descendant of the Dêsâi who possessed the country before the conquest of it by Tippu," [Tipu Sultan of Maisûr], "the question of adoption would be considered immaterial, and the boy would be allowed to succeed. If, on the other hand, it appeared that the claimant was neither a descendant of the ancient Dêsâî nor a near connection of the late Dêsâl by the female line, the adoption was to be disallowed.
"The inquiries set on foot by Mr. Thackeray showed that the Dêsâî had died on the night of the 11th instead of the 12th September, as reported, without making any adoption, and that after his death Konûr Mallapa, his Kârbhârî, and others of his attendants invested the child with the insignia of Dêsâi. This was fully acknowledged by the parties concerned, who further confessed to having put a pen in the dead man's hands and so written his signature to the letter dated the 10th July which was sent to Mr. Thackeray. Konûr Mallappa, who had been appointed manager on the part of Government, was removed on this account, and also because he had been concerned in the removal of some treasure and jewels and accounts from the late Desai's treasury. In his letter reporting these proceedings Mr. Thackeray writes: - All is perfectly quiet here. I anticipate no disorder, and I expect to be able to manage the whole country without any military assistance.' He afterwards submitted the result of his inquiries into the family pedigree, which showed that no descendant of the ancient Dêsâî, or near connection by the female line of the late Dêsâi, was alive.
"While these reports were under consideration, Government were shocked by the receipt of intelligence of a rising at Kittûr which had resulted in the death of the Political Agent and other gentlemen. It appears that on the 21st October Mr. Thackeray, finding that a number of the late Dêsái's Sepoys in charge of the treasury were notorious thieves, and were commanded by a man of like character, became apprehensive for the safety of the treasure, and reluctantly determined to place a guard of Government Sepoys at each gateway. He also required the head men to give a bond rendering themselves responsible for the safety of the treasury, but they refused to do so without the orders of Channavva, the late Dêsaf's stepmother, who had lately claimed the supremacy. Mr. Thackeray then wished to call on the ladies to explain matters, but they refused to see him that day, promising, however, to see him next day. On the 22nd, however, they still refused to see him, and none of the Sardârs would accompany him to their house. As Mr. Thackeray heard that the Shêtsandiss and Peons were assembling from their villages, he thought it advisable to take precautionary measures, and accordingly requested Captain Black, the commander of a troop of Gôlandâz that had accompanied him, to bring two guns into the fort, which were posted at the gateways. In the morning, when the artillery officer proceeded to the fort to change guard, he found the outer gate locked and the inner fort full of armed men, and was refused admittance. Several messages were then sent by Mr. Thackeray, but as they were not attended to, he ordered up the other two guns, and declared that if the gate was not opened in twenty minutes he would blow it open. At the expiration of the specified period, Captain Black, Captain Sewell, and Lieutenant Dighton, of the Gôlandâz, were preparing to blow open the gate, when a sally was made from the fort by the Peons, who seized the guns and cut down the officers and all with them. At this juncture Mr. Thackeray came up on horseback and attempted to quiet the insurgents, but fell by a shot and was then cut to pieces. The remnant of the British detachment was then
"
The term Sardâr denotes a prince, a chief, a gentleman of rank.'
5 Village revenue and police officers, holding, for their service, lands rent-free or under a quit-rent, by a sanad or written warrant.
6 Golandez is a Persian word, denoting a gunner or bombardier."
