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Re: Historical Research - Rigby Rifles for Rajah Narrain Appa Bahadoor
Posted: Sat May 29, 2021 2:04 am
by 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.
Re: Historical Research - Rigby Rifles for Rajah Narrain Appa Bahadoor
Posted: Sat May 29, 2021 3:25 am
by 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
end.jpg
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
Re: Historical Research - Rigby Rifles for Rajah Narrain Appa Bahadoor
Posted: Sat May 29, 2021 4:02 am
by 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...
Re: Historical Research - Rigby Rifles for Rajah Narrain Appa Bahadoor
Posted: Sat May 29, 2021 3:20 pm
by Shivaji.Dasgupta
Congrats vikram for your rigorous search
Re: Historical Research - Rigby Rifles for Rajah Narrain Appa Bahadoor
Posted: Sun May 30, 2021 7:15 pm
by Vikram
Shivaji.Dasgupta wrote: ↑Sat May 29, 2021 3:20 pm
Congrats vikram for your rigorous search
Thank you but it is not yet conclusively proven. Awaiting further information.
Re: Historical Research - Rigby Rifles for Rajah Narrain Appa Bahadoor
Posted: Mon May 31, 2021 8:18 am
by gwattal
The Rajah is mentioned in a Madras High Court judgement.
https://indiankanoon.org/doc/787763/
Maybe a lawyer can help you
cheers
Re: Historical Research - Rigby Rifles for Rajah Narrain Appa Bahadoor
Posted: Mon May 31, 2021 8:29 am
by gwattal
Re: Historical Research - Rigby Rifles for Rajah Narrain Appa Bahadoor
Posted: Mon May 31, 2021 11:25 am
by Shivaji.Dasgupta
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
Re: Historical Research - Rigby Rifles for Rajah Narrain Appa Bahadoor
Posted: Mon May 31, 2021 2:40 pm
by 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!