Purnaiah
Encyclopedia
Purnaiah was the Dewan
of Mysore. He served under Hyder Ali
, Tipu Sultan
, the British and Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar
. He was well known for his skill with accounts, prodigious memory, proficiency in several languages and sheer hard work.
After Tipu Sultan's defeat, Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, was duly educated and trained by Purniah.
Through this connection Purniah very soon earned confidence of Hyder Ali because of his proficiency in accounting and excellent handwriting. Endowed with prodigious memory, proficiency in several languages and sheer hard work, Purniah became head of Accounts Department and a confidant of the ruler.
Purniah knew Kannada, Sanskrit
and Persian. He understood English
, but could not read or write the language.
, Tipu was encamping in Malabar coast
. Purniah kept the king's death a top secret, and sent the word to Tipu by the speediest way possible. Meanwhile Hyder's body was kept embalmed, and business went on usual. Purniah thus played a key role in keeping the news of Hyder's death confidential, as many adversaries could have seized this advantage and tried to usurp throne. Purniah thus paved the way for the succession of Tipu.
Purniah became a member of Tipu's inner cabinet. He was the only Hindu in an all-Muslim team.
Purniah attended every military campaign Tipu Sultan led.
In the Third Anglo-Mysore War
of 1792, Purniah commanded a rocket units (131 men). In his last battle with the British
, Tipu had entrusted his eldest son and heir-apparent to Purniah's care. Tipu died on the battle field in 1799.
The British were more than convinced. Though they turned down his proposal to pass on the throne to Tipu's son, they made Purniah the first Dewan of the newly formed state of Mysore. Queen Regent Lakshammanni readily agreed to the arrangement. The Child-King, later Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, was duly educated and trained by Purniah.
Krishnaraja Wodeyar attained the age of 16 in early 1810 and hence attained the age of discretion. After discussing with the British Resident, A. H. Cole, the reins of the state were transferred from Dewan Purnaiah to the king. Purniah retired from service in 1811 (and died shortly thereafter).
His public works have left a great legacy. A forty-eight mile canal was dug to supply drinking water to Mysore. Several tanks were dug. A stone-bridge, dedicated to Marquess of Wellesley, the Governor General
was constructed across river Kaveri connecting Srirangapattana with Kirangur
. It has stood stead fast for the last two hundred years.
Large number of choultries
were built in the name of Maharaja of Mysore
, but people called them "Dewan Purniah's Chatras". They were available to all travelers.
Revenue administration was streamlined. Mysore state had a volatile border with incessant skirmishes, a legacy of the previous regime. Methodical land-surveys were conducted. Borders were notified. Posts of Shekdars, Amaldars and Tehsildars were created which came down to modern times.
He was duly honored with big grants and a large pension. His desire to make his position a hereditary one, just like that of a ruler, did not materialize.
Purniah is remembered for laying the foundation of sound administrative machinery for the state. Mysore came to be recognized as one of the foremost progressive native states in British India.
Dewan
The originally Persian title of dewan has, at various points in Islamic history, designated various differing though similar functions.-Etymology:...
of Mysore. He served under Hyder Ali
Hyder Ali
Hyder Ali was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in southern India. Born Hyder Naik, he distinguished himself militarily, eventually drawing the attention of Mysore's rulers...
, Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan , also known as the Tiger of Mysore, was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. He was the son of Hyder Ali, at that time an officer in the Mysorean army, and his second wife, Fatima or Fakhr-un-Nissa...
, the British and Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar
Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar
Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar was the ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Mysore in India. Also known as Krishnaraja Wodeyar III, he belonged to the Wodeyar dynasty and ruled his state for nearly seventy years, from 30 June 1799 to 27 March 1868. He is known for his contribution and patronage...
. He was well known for his skill with accounts, prodigious memory, proficiency in several languages and sheer hard work.
After Tipu Sultan's defeat, Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, was duly educated and trained by Purniah.
Early Years and Rise
Purniah came from a humble Brahmin family, and was born in 1746 CE. He lost his father at the age of eleven, and had to seek employment to support his family. He started writing accounts at a trader's shop. This grocer had close contact with a rich merchant Annadana Setty who supplied large quantities of groceries to Hyder Ali's palace and army.Through this connection Purniah very soon earned confidence of Hyder Ali because of his proficiency in accounting and excellent handwriting. Endowed with prodigious memory, proficiency in several languages and sheer hard work, Purniah became head of Accounts Department and a confidant of the ruler.
Purniah knew Kannada, Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
and Persian. He understood English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, but could not read or write the language.
Years with Tipu
In 1782, when Hyder Ali died, near ChittoorChittoor
Chittoor also known as Chittur, is a City and municipal corporation located in the Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is conveniently located on major highways linking the cities of Bangalore and Chennai....
, Tipu was encamping in Malabar coast
Malabar Coast
The Malabar Coast is a long and narrow coastline on the south-western shore line of the mainland Indian subcontinent. Geographically, it comprises the wettest regions of southern India, as the Western Ghats intercept the moisture-laden monsoon rains, especially on their westward-facing mountain...
. Purniah kept the king's death a top secret, and sent the word to Tipu by the speediest way possible. Meanwhile Hyder's body was kept embalmed, and business went on usual. Purniah thus played a key role in keeping the news of Hyder's death confidential, as many adversaries could have seized this advantage and tried to usurp throne. Purniah thus paved the way for the succession of Tipu.
Purniah became a member of Tipu's inner cabinet. He was the only Hindu in an all-Muslim team.
Purniah attended every military campaign Tipu Sultan led.
In the Third Anglo-Mysore War
Third Anglo-Mysore War
The Third Anglo-Mysore War was a war in South India between the Sultanate of Mysore and the British East India Company and its allies, including the Mahratta Empire and the Nizam of Hyderabad...
of 1792, Purniah commanded a rocket units (131 men). In his last battle with the British
Battle of Seringapatam
The Siege of Seringapatam was the final confrontation of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore. The British achieved a decisive victory after breaching the walls of the fortress at Seringapatam and storming the citadel. Tippu Sultan, Mysore's...
, Tipu had entrusted his eldest son and heir-apparent to Purniah's care. Tipu died on the battle field in 1799.
Meeting with British
After Tipu's death Purniah sought an interview with the General, who was very much impressed with Purniah's political acumen, maturity and fearlessness. He informed the General that administration had nearly collapsed, many of the able army and civil officers were killed and plundering had already set in.The British were more than convinced. Though they turned down his proposal to pass on the throne to Tipu's son, they made Purniah the first Dewan of the newly formed state of Mysore. Queen Regent Lakshammanni readily agreed to the arrangement. The Child-King, later Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, was duly educated and trained by Purniah.
Krishnaraja Wodeyar attained the age of 16 in early 1810 and hence attained the age of discretion. After discussing with the British Resident, A. H. Cole, the reins of the state were transferred from Dewan Purnaiah to the king. Purniah retired from service in 1811 (and died shortly thereafter).
Years with Wodeyars
Purniah's first concern was Law and Order. He suppressed the revolting Palegars (local chieftains) who had become despots. He started releasing cash allowances to Mathas, temples and dargahs, which Tipu Sultan had stopped. He opened a judicial department for peoples' complaints.His public works have left a great legacy. A forty-eight mile canal was dug to supply drinking water to Mysore. Several tanks were dug. A stone-bridge, dedicated to Marquess of Wellesley, the Governor General
Governor-General of India
The Governor-General of India was the head of the British administration in India, and later, after Indian independence, the representative of the monarch and de facto head of state. The office was created in 1773, with the title of Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William...
was constructed across river Kaveri connecting Srirangapattana with Kirangur
Kirangur
Kirangur is a village in the southern state of Karnataka, India. It is located in the Shrirangapattana taluk of Mandya district in Karnataka.-Demographics:As of 2001 India census, Kirangur had a population of 7087 with 3549 males and 3538 females....
. It has stood stead fast for the last two hundred years.
Large number of choultries
Choultry
A choultry, or tschultri, is a resting place for visitors where rooms and food are provided by a charitable institution for nominal rates.Some were guesthouses where accommodation was free of charge...
were built in the name of Maharaja of Mysore
Maharaja of Mysore
Maharaja of Mysore was the principal title of the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in India.The Wodeyar dynasty founded a feudatory principality in 1399, which grew into the Kingdom of Mysore...
, but people called them "Dewan Purniah's Chatras". They were available to all travelers.
Revenue administration was streamlined. Mysore state had a volatile border with incessant skirmishes, a legacy of the previous regime. Methodical land-surveys were conducted. Borders were notified. Posts of Shekdars, Amaldars and Tehsildars were created which came down to modern times.
He was duly honored with big grants and a large pension. His desire to make his position a hereditary one, just like that of a ruler, did not materialize.
Purniah is remembered for laying the foundation of sound administrative machinery for the state. Mysore came to be recognized as one of the foremost progressive native states in British India.