Venkata Ranga Rao
Encyclopedia
Sir Venkata Svetachalapathi Ranga Rao Bahadur GCIE
(b.September 8, 1862 - d. 1921) was an India
n landlord
and zamindar
of Bobbili
in Madras Presidency
from 1881 to 1921. His grandson and successor Ramakrishna Ranga Rao
served as the Chief Minister of Madras Presidency from 1932 to 1936.
on November 29, 1862. He was the fourth son of Sarvagnya Krishna Rao Bahadur, the Raja of Venkatagiri. When Venkata Ranga Rao was nine years old, he along with the other younger sons of the family were given away in adoption to the royal houses of Bobbili, Pittapur and Jetprole. Venkata Ranga Rao was adopted by Rani Lakshmi Chellayama of Bobbili. He was tutored by J. Marsh apart from other Indian tutors. He was provided with extensive tutoring in history, economy and Sanskrit.
On November 30, 1881, on his attaining majority, Venkata Ranga Rao ascended the throne of Bobbili.
In 1883, while Venkata Ranga Rao was on pilgrimage to Kasi
, his second wife died in childbirth. This incident followed by the death of his adoptive mother and second son in 1887 had a traumatic effect on him. In 1888, the Raja married for a third time. A third son, Ramakrishna Ranga Rao
, was born in 1892.
The Raja constructed the "Raj Mahal" palace in Bobbili in 1888. At that time, there arose a succession dispute between the heirs to the estate of Venkatagiri. Venkata Ranga Rao mediated between the sons of the late Raja and helped in resolving the dispute.
In 1893, Venkata Ranga Rao made a tour of Europe along with his youngest brother Venugopala Ranga Rao. Landing at Marseilles on April 14, 1893, the Raja had audiences with the Duke of York
, the Prince of Wales
and Queen Victoria. The gratified Raja displayed his loyalty to the British crown by constructing the Victoria Market in 1887 and the Victoria Town Hall in 1894 in honour of the Queen.
with the KCIE at a public cermeony presided over by Lord Wenlock, the then Governor of Madras. He was promoted to a GCIE in 1911.
Order of the Indian Empire
The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1878. The Order includes members of three classes:#Knight Grand Commander #Knight Commander #Companion...
(b.September 8, 1862 - d. 1921) was an India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n landlord
Landlord
A landlord is the owner of a house, apartment, condominium, or real estate which is rented or leased to an individual or business, who is called a tenant . When a juristic person is in this position, the term landlord is used. Other terms include lessor and owner...
and zamindar
Zamindar
A Zamindar or zemindar , was an aristocrat, typically hereditary, who held enormous tracts of land and ruled over and taxed the bhikaaris who lived on batavaslam. Over time, they took princely and royal titles such as Maharaja , Raja , Nawab , and Mirza , Chowdhury , among others...
of Bobbili
Bobbili
Bobbili is a town, mandal headquarters and a Municipality in Vizianagaram district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.-Geography:Bobbili is located at . It has an average elevation of 103 metres .-History:...
in Madras Presidency
Madras Presidency
The Madras Presidency , officially the Presidency of Fort St. George and also known as Madras Province, was an administrative subdivision of British India...
from 1881 to 1921. His grandson and successor Ramakrishna Ranga Rao
Ramakrishna Ranga Rao
Raja Sri Ravu Svetachalupati Sir Ramakrishna Ranga Rao KCIE was an Indian politician and zamindar who served as the Chief Minister of Madras Presidency from November 5, 1932 to April 4, 1936 and August 24, 1936 to April 1, 1937.Ramakrishna Ranga Rao was born in the royal family of Bobbili...
served as the Chief Minister of Madras Presidency from 1932 to 1936.
Early life
Venkata Ranga Rao was born at VenkatagiriVenkatagiri
Venkatagiri is the fourth largest town and municipality in Nellore district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.Venkatagiri's old name is "Kali Mili".It is famous for its Handloom Cotton Sarees. Venkatagiri is a place for history and handlooms. It was part of a small kingdom that was integrated...
on November 29, 1862. He was the fourth son of Sarvagnya Krishna Rao Bahadur, the Raja of Venkatagiri. When Venkata Ranga Rao was nine years old, he along with the other younger sons of the family were given away in adoption to the royal houses of Bobbili, Pittapur and Jetprole. Venkata Ranga Rao was adopted by Rani Lakshmi Chellayama of Bobbili. He was tutored by J. Marsh apart from other Indian tutors. He was provided with extensive tutoring in history, economy and Sanskrit.
Marriage
Venkata Ranga Rao married in 1878. The princess died an untimely death in 1880 after giving birth to their only son Venkata Kumara Krishna Ranga Rao. Venkata Ranga Rao married again, to a younger sister of the princess.On November 30, 1881, on his attaining majority, Venkata Ranga Rao ascended the throne of Bobbili.
Reign
Venkata Ranga Rao brought about a number of reforms during his reign as Raja of Bobbili. He raised the Middle School of Bobbili to a high school. He also established a poor schools and those for the physically and mentally handicapped.In 1883, while Venkata Ranga Rao was on pilgrimage to Kasi
Kasi
KASI or Kasi may refer to:* Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, South Korea* Kingdom of Kashi, or Kasi, an ancient kingdom with Varanasi as its capital* 1430KASI, a radio station licensed to serve Ames, Iowa...
, his second wife died in childbirth. This incident followed by the death of his adoptive mother and second son in 1887 had a traumatic effect on him. In 1888, the Raja married for a third time. A third son, Ramakrishna Ranga Rao
Ramakrishna Ranga Rao
Raja Sri Ravu Svetachalupati Sir Ramakrishna Ranga Rao KCIE was an Indian politician and zamindar who served as the Chief Minister of Madras Presidency from November 5, 1932 to April 4, 1936 and August 24, 1936 to April 1, 1937.Ramakrishna Ranga Rao was born in the royal family of Bobbili...
, was born in 1892.
The Raja constructed the "Raj Mahal" palace in Bobbili in 1888. At that time, there arose a succession dispute between the heirs to the estate of Venkatagiri. Venkata Ranga Rao mediated between the sons of the late Raja and helped in resolving the dispute.
In 1893, Venkata Ranga Rao made a tour of Europe along with his youngest brother Venugopala Ranga Rao. Landing at Marseilles on April 14, 1893, the Raja had audiences with the Duke of York
Duke of York
The Duke of York is a title of nobility in the British peerage. Since the 15th century, it has, when granted, usually been given to the second son of the British monarch. The title has been created a remarkable eleven times, eight as "Duke of York" and three as the double-barreled "Duke of York and...
, the Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
and Queen Victoria. The gratified Raja displayed his loyalty to the British crown by constructing the Victoria Market in 1887 and the Victoria Town Hall in 1894 in honour of the Queen.
Honors
In 1895, Venkata Ranga Rao was knighted in OotacamundOotacamund
Ootacamund , is a town, a municipality and the district capital of the Nilgiris district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Ootacamund is a popular hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills...
with the KCIE at a public cermeony presided over by Lord Wenlock, the then Governor of Madras. He was promoted to a GCIE in 1911.