The instruments with which the foregoing observations have been made, are placed upon a table about 4 feet above the ground in the western verandah of the Honourable Company's Observatory; which is situated in Longitude 5h. 21'9" E: Latitude 13° 4' 9" N; at about two miles from the Sea and about 27 feet above the low water mark.

T. G. TAYLOR,

H. C. Astronomer.

OF

LITERATURE AND SCIENCE.

No. 7.-April, 1835.

SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF THE RAMOOSSY CHIEF OOMIAH NAIK, KHOMNEY OF POORUNDUR.

Continued from Number 6.

I-A Sketch of the History of the Ramoossies residing in the Sattarah Territory and in the Poona and Ahmednuggur districts-By Captain Alexander Mackintosh of the 27th Regt. M. N. 1. Commanding Ahmednuggur Local Corps.

CHAPTER XIII.

Oomiah begins to claim rights in the Punt Suchew's country.-He has an interview with the Rajah of Satara; proposes that the Rajah should decide the matter by throwing the Punt and himself into the Neera river.-He asks the Rajah to employ him.-The collector is directed by Government to inform Oomiah to continue quiet, and to submit his claims to Government.-Mr. Giberne reports to Government the difficulty of managing Oomiah.-The copper-plate deeds, and old grants.--Oomiah's pretended discontent.-States that he has little or no property.-His ambitious sentiments. He employs the Ky karies to plunder at Arabah.-The Ramoossies plunder the Patell of Dhurumpoory. The collector sends a Karkoon to reside at Sakoordy.-The Koulkurny of Ekutpoor plundered, and the collector interferes.-Two parties are dispatched from Sakoordy to plunder in opposite directions.-A Brahmin at Wurgawn killed.-The Kykaries commit several robberies.The Ramoossies plunder a house at Allundy, and commit several robberies in Phultundesh.

It becomes necessary to state here, that Oomiah had latterly began to revive his claims against the Punt Suchew. He, in his usual summary manner sent some sepoys to attack the revenue of the village of the Kheirbary, belonging to the Punt, and from which the Ramoossies asserted they were entitled to receive certain dues. I shall allude more fully to this transaction hereafter, and mention it at present, partly on account of explaining the nature of Oomiah's interview with the Rajah of Satara when he visited Bholee on the banks of the Neera, a few koss south of Poorundur.

Some of Oomiah's people had been lately engaged in a plundering excursion in the Satara country, and upon his

preparing to visit the Rajah, he thought it advisable to put forth exaggerated statements of the number of his followers, in the expectation that the Rajah might be impressed with a greater idea of his importance and power, and that His Highness's bearing to him, would be of a corresponding nature. On the 18th of February 1830, he presented himself before His Highness who was attended by all his Jageerdars, as well as by a number of Mankurries.

The Rajah alluded to the disturbances caused by the Ramoossies in the Satara territory, and observed that they made use of his (Oomiah's) name. Oomiah said that he hoped His Highness would punish such persons in a most exemplary manner when they were apprehended.

With the Rajah's permission Ocmiah now submitted some old sunnuds in his possession to the Punt Suchew, stating at the same time, "that if these papers establish any claims to certain rights and dues in your country, I hope you will let me enjoy them-if not I shall be ruined;" adding that, "you had better at once tie me in a mouth (the leather bag used in raising up water from wells when irrigating fields) and throw me into the Neera river." The Rajah observed, that if his claims could be established in the Punt's country, they would be restored to him; and that if he would come to Satara, any rights which he might have in that territory, should also be restored to him. Oomiah still addressing himself to the Punt, said, “I am not afraid of you, His Highness is present, so do not attempt to depress me, nor deprive me of my rights." The Rajah told the Punt Suchew to inquire into the claims, and he was directed to bring his papers to Satara. Oomiah communicated this to me, but I have been informed, that he suggested to the Rajah, that he should tie the Punt Suchew in one mouth, and himself in another, and then that His Highness should order both mouths to be thrown into the river, by which means he would have an opportunity of seeing which had justice on his side.

The Rajah of Satara mentioned to me lately, that Oomiah had been trying to obtain employment from him, and that he wished to have charge of the district south of the Neera river. That he had desired Oomiah to go to

Satara, that the claims against the Punt Suchew might be investigated, but that he would not venture to go there. About a month after this, one of Oomiah's followers, and a great friend of his who had been plundering in the Satara territory, was apprehended and executed by the Rajah's orders.

In the month of January, the collector had directed Oomiah to withdraw the sepoys he sent into the Punt Suchew's villages, which he accordingly did. Orders were subsequently received by Mr. Giberne from Government, directing him to inform Oomiah, that he ought to remember the kindness and mercy that had been shown towards him, and that he should conduct himself in a more becoming manner, and await the decision of Government; and to order the Naik to produce all the papers and documents which he had in possession, that a full and fair investigation of the rights which he claimed might be made.

When the collector was in the Poorundur district on revenue duty, Oomiah and his brother waited on him, and laid before him twenty-four papers, on which they appeared to place high value, as establishing their claims to many rights and privileges as the owners of Poorundur fort. These documents were grants, orders, and letters, given to the Kolies, Mhars, and Ramoossies of the fort of Poorundur, by former princes of the country, by Governors and Mamlutdars. Mr. Giberne made an abstract translation of these papers, and transmitted a long and full report on the subject to Government on the 30th April, 1830.

Mr. Giberne in his report, alludes to the circumstance of any Rajah or Government granting to such persons lands and other rights for service, with the reservation of right of withholding, or resuming such grants on the failure of service, or in committing acts against the welfare of the state; he remarks also, with what affection and reverence these people look upon such old torn papers, which they consider to confer a right withheld, and that they are fully impressed with the idea of their being unjustly deprived of their wuttuns. He thinks no threats will prevent them from availing themselves of the first opportunity to obtain their rights, and that by hints they have

vaguely thrown out, that they mean to claim the bukshish granted by the Padshaw.

He further remarks, that if the claims should be investigated in a regular court, they would fall to the ground as unsubstantiated by enjoyment for so many years; and consequently that it is a question which requires great consideration; for it is apprehended that the Koley and Mhar Naiks might set up claims, and that unless Oomiah's demands are complied with, he will be induced to offer resistance to Government. His power and capabilities in this respect are explained, his having maintained a protracted struggle during the first disturbance, and at length obtained terms from the Government.

I shall endeavour to give a close translation of the paper said to be a copy of the tambur putturs, (the copper-plate deeds,) and it will be found in the Appendix; but how Oomiah contrived to have a copy taken of it, I know not. A Brahmun to whom I have shewn it (the copy) expressed great surprise, and immediately observed, that it could be merely the traditionary tale of what was supposed to be engraved on the copper-plates, and not a copy of the original deed. This Brahmun, who is an intelligent man, further told me, that Captain H. D. Robertson, the collector of Poona, put the copper-plates in his hands, and directed him to endeavour to discover the nature of the grant; but that although he kept it for three months, all he could discover was that, it purported that he had shaken off his allegiance to the Emperor, and established an independent kingdom in the Dekhan, making Kulburga his capital, and after the dismemberment of this extensive state, his descendants, about A. D. 1528, established themselves at Beder, retaining possession of the surrounding districts.

It might also be remarked, that the Mhars of Poorundur (Bhyre Naak, &c. &c.) are clearly entitled to share in the grant bestowed by this King, (whoever he might have been,) according to the tenor of the first terms of the grant; but when the copper-plate deeds are to be prepared, they are entirely excluded, whilst no allusion whatever is made to the Ramoossies in them.