302 ON ORISSA PROPER 



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tracts in question, they never afterwards relinquished possession. The be- 

 nefit of the acquisition seems doubtful, as the usurpation of Raheng, &c. 

 involved them in a state of unceasing hostility with the Khurda Rajas, 

 and the claim to levy the tribute of Rajwara brought them yearly into 

 disputes and battles with the hill chiefs, in which, to say nothing of the ex- 

 penditure of blood and treasure, they were nearly as often worsted as they 

 were successful. 



At the end of 1171 Amli, Sheo Bhat was violently expelled from his go- 

 vernment, by a powerful faction countenanced by the Court of Nagpore. 

 Chimna Sahu and Udi Pura Gosain then exercised the powers of govern- 

 ment for a short time, until Bhawani Kaliia Pundit arrived in the province, 

 with the senned or appointment of Subadar. The Ex-Sirbadar was not 

 however of a character to relinquish his authority, without an obstinate 

 struggle. He formed a powerful party amongst the Paiks of the eastern 

 Rajwara, and for a length of time, disturbed the administration of his suc- 

 cessor by frequent contests and inroads, The Paiks of other killahs es- 

 poused the opposite side. Troops were poured in from all quarters to quell 

 these ryots, and the frequent marches and countermarches of the armies of 

 the government are credibly enough stated to have involved more serious 

 evils to the whole of the fine Pergunnahs Hariharpur, Khandi, Jhanker, 

 Deogaon, &c. than the disturbances they were sent to repress. Amidst all 

 these troubles the excesses of the Kujeng, Rank a, and Rynto Paiks were 

 ever conspicuous. The ferment excited amongst the Military Zemindars 

 of Orissa and their adherents by these events, did not subside until many 

 years afterwards. It does not appear how the career of their author and 

 instigator finally terminated. Mr. La Motte gives the following brief com- 

 parative sketch of the character of the administrations of the rival Gover? 

 nors : " Sheo Bhut plundered only his neighbours, but Bhawani Pundit 

 committed depredations on his subjects and all parties alike." 



Bhawani Pundit was recalled about 1175 Amli, and Sambha Ji Gane,^ 



