OR CUTTACK. 301 



the perpetual conflicts for power which disturbed the peace of the country, 

 and with noticing a few events of general importance which mark that 

 period. 



The first and most energetic of the Marhatta Subadars, was Sheo Bhat 

 Santia, who exercised a disputed and precarious authority for a period of 

 about eight years from 1 163 to 1171, and may be said to have been in full 

 possession of the powers of government for about half that period. He made 

 a settlement of the revenues of the province, nominally at 18,00,000 of Arcot 

 Rupees, of which 14,00,000 were entered as regular land revenue (Bando- 

 basti Mulk,) and the remaining 4,00,000 as imposts under various heads. 

 During his administration, a farther dismemberment took place of the territo- 

 ries of the Maharajas of Khurda. In 1167 Amli, Narain Deo, the famous 

 Zemindar of Kimedy,* a descendant of the royal family of Orissa, who had 

 before asserted his preferable title to the Khurda Raj, invaded that dis- 

 trict by way of Banpur, with the avowed intention of taking possession 

 of it, and drove the reigning prince Bir Kishore Deo before him. Unable 

 to resist his powerful rival, the latter was thrown upon the dangerous ex- 

 pedient of claiming the assistance of the Marhattas, which was granted on 

 condition of the payment of a large sum, to defray all expenses, in return. 

 The aid of the Subadar proved effectual in clearing Khurda of the preten- 

 der's army, but the Raja being unable to discharge the money bargained 

 for, he was obliged to mortgage or surrender temporarily for its liquidation, 

 the best portion of his dominions, viz. the Mehals, Limbai, Raheng, Pur- 



sottem Chatter, &c in short, the whole country lying between the Dya 



river, the lake and the sea, with the tribute of the fourteen Rajas or 

 Khandaits of the hills, still subject to his controul. The Marhattas were al- 

 lowed to appoint their own Amils, and having thus gained a footing in the 



* Mr. Grant in his Political Essay in the Northern Sircars says of this person : ". Kimedy.fifty miles 

 N. E. by N. from the town of Cicacole, is the capital of another tributary but more accessible dependent 

 principality vested in a Raja of the royal family of Orissa who actually bears the titular designation of 

 that ancient house under the proper name of Gujipati Deo, through the refractory imprudence of Na- 

 tain Deo, father of the present occupant, in opposing the Company's authority.'' 



