Historical Research - Rigby Rifles for Rajah Narrain Appa Bahadoor

[Vikram]

Cheers, Kalyan. That is where I started and that is where I am zeroing on. There are several estates in that area, all houses related to each other. All are from one caste, Velamas. I have contacted someone who could be related to them and hope to hear something.

[Vikram]

Mark,

I think we may have tentatively found the first owner your rifle.
Please go to Page: 284 on the PDF- The Nuzvidu Zamindars and start reading.

https://ia801602.us.archive.org/22/item ... Manual.pdf

The Narayya Appa Rao mentioned in this chapter is most likely Rajah Narrain Appa Rao Bahadoor.

Title.jpg

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Though there is a NarrainAppa is mentioned in the same book, the time line and the family profile do not match. One is this family is a Brahmin family, which, at least in our region, weren't into guns as hunting is forbidden for them. Also, this NarrainAppa died in 1974. The suffix Bahadur is also not mentioned here.

Another Appa.jpg

Another Appa-1.jpg

[MCJ]

Looks promising, Vikram. I do note that the one individual which seems most likely of these (Raja Narayya Appa Rao) died on 19th July 1877, when the rifle was not ready for delivery until 1st August 1877. So if that is indeed the correct person for whom the rifle was made then he unfortunately never would have taken possession of it. It is stated that he did leave 3 minor sons, the eldest recognized as Zemindar of Nuzvidu and the estates taken under management of the Court of Wards. Again, assuming this is the correct individual, the question then would be whether the rifle was delivered to his estate, went to someone else, or else never made it to India...

[Shivaji.Dasgupta]

Congrats vikram for your rigorous search

[Vikram]

Congrats vikram for your rigorous search

Thank you but it is not yet conclusively proven. Awaiting further information.

[gwattal]

The Rajah is mentioned in a Madras High Court judgement.

https://indiankanoon.org/doc/787763/

Maybe a lawyer can help you

cheers

[gwattal]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nidadavolu

[Shivaji.Dasgupta]

The Rajah is mentioned in a Madras High Court judgement.

https://indiankanoon.org/doc/787763/

Maybe a lawyer can help you

cheers

The details of this late jaminder (and in some aspect a sort of freedom fighter I can say because he was against the British rule and due to that his jamindari was captured for some time by the Brits) is well established, if the mentioned in the rifle rajah Narrain Appa and narayya Appa is same then it solve this search

[MCJ]

This is all very interesting and exciting to think that this lead looks so promising. When I started out this research I figured it was like "looking for a needle in a haystack", but thanks to the hard work of Vikram and this newly added info by gwattal and Shivaji I have high increasing confidence that the mystery may be solved. I know from private emails that Vikram is trying to contact possible descendants of this person, and make a definitive confirmation. Keeping my fingers crossed! And once again, sincere thanks to everyone who has taken a interest in this search!

[raghuapparao]

Hi
I am a descendant of the Nuzvid Apparao Family. Rajah Narrayya Apparao Rao is one of our ancestors.

[Vikram]

Hi
I am a descendant of the Nuzvid Apparao Family. Rajah Narrayya Apparao Rao is one of our ancestors.

Welcome to IFG. I have tried reaching out to several of the members of your extended family about this rifle. I am sure the original posted will be thrilled to see your post.

[raghuapparao]

Thank you.
There was Narayya Apparao garu eldest of the seven brothers of the Nuzvid family around 1877. There was another Narayya Apparao garu of Niddavole estate who died in 1964 and third one Narayya Apparao from Saniverpetta Estate at approximately that time.

There was Medur Minor, son of the seventh brother who was also Naryya Apparao garu also at approximately same time.

The Nuzvid estate was divided so the family members went by their individual estate names. I will try and check the family tree as to who exactly this gentleman was by matching the year. Of course we have no records or data from that time.

[Vikram]

Thank you.
There was Narayya Apparao garu eldest of the seven brothers of the Nuzvid family around 1877. There was another Narayya Apparao garu of Niddavole estate who died in 1964 and third one Narayya Apparao from Saniverpetta Estate at approximately that time.

There was Medur Minor, son of the seventh brother who was also Naryya Apparao garu also at approximately same time.

The Nuzvid estate was divided so the family members went by their individual estate names. I will try and check the family tree as to who exactly this gentleman was by matching the year. Of course we have no records or data from that time.

That will be truly awesome if you could shed light on this subject. Not only the OP will benefit but also it will add to the body of knowledge about the history of India in general.