22 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



[July 



Section 5, Account of the chieftains of Torayur. 



A communication to Col. Mackenzie from Vijaya-Vencatachellum- 

 Rediyar, Zemindar of ihe capital town of Torayur (otherwise written 

 Turaiyur). 



In reply to enquiries concerning the origin of this place, and of the 

 ruling family, particulars are stated to the following general effect: 



In Sal. Sac. 1103, or 618 years ago, the ancestors of the writer were 

 located in the Nellore district at Pallavoie ; at which time the neigh- 

 bourhood of Torayur to the north of the Coleroon river was greatly 

 infested by robbers. Crishna-rayer* at that period was engaged in 

 fighting against the Mahomedans. The ancestors of this zemindar, 

 who were named Anar-redi 'Audi Sura-redi, were warlike, and courage- 

 ous, men ; and, as their district was subject to the above mentioned 

 prince, they were called out on military service, which was successful. 

 The Rayer sent the above two chieftains to subdue the Kallara in the 

 district of Torayur ; which they by degrees effected ; and received the 

 district of Torayur, made over to them by a copper-plate inscription, 

 from the Rayer. But the grant, and other vouchers of honours con- 

 ferred by Madura rulers down to Tirumala-nayaker were lost, during 

 the great period of commotion. Some successive chiefs are mentioned. 

 Linga-redi, the then chief, had a share in the war against Tanjore, as 

 subordinate to C/^o/mwoMa of Trichinopoly. Subsequently the K a liars 

 ravaged the country even to the gates of the fort (of the caj[)ital), 

 when the chief of Torayur had it given him in chfirge to reduce them to 

 order. Revenue matters, and the succession of chiefs follow. In 

 the time of Minacshi-ammal, and Bangaru Tirumala-nayaka, some 

 Chenju people from the mountains, a class of Vcdars, under their 

 chief, made an incursion even to the gates of Trichinopoly ; and 

 tlie chiefs of this palliyam of Torayur being sent against them, took 

 their chief prisoner. They received some distinction in consequence. 

 Down to that period the country of Torayur had been possessed on 

 condition of military service, in free tenure, without interruption. 

 Chunda Sahib imposed tribute, to the extent of 1,500 rupees annually. 

 The Nizam gave them five villages in free tenure. The writer 

 mentions the succession of his father, and of himself. The incur- 

 sion by Hyder Ali noted. Ke (the writer) was summoned to 

 Trichinopoly, and assisted against Hyder ; receiving thanks from 

 Colonel Nixon, and Mr. Sullivan, who gave him a document assuring 



* The most famous princo of this name lived about 20(i years later than the period indi- 

 cated by the above dates. 



