Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057345).pdf/429

 MAJ 421 Asganwán, Rachhpal, Parnanandpati-urf-Dahwa, Kawariserpal, Sagaicha, Naghiáwán, Idhona, Majhaura proper, Chandápur, Kádipur Gaura, Tolá- pati-urf-Jaitpur. After the disappearance of the Bhars, the lands of the pargana appear to have been divided between two influential families of (1) Tewari Brah- mans, and (2) Rautár Rajputs, who are said to trace back their ancestors to the Bhar period. The possessions of the Brahman family were restrict- ed to tappas Sikandarpur and Haweli; and for this reason these tappas were commonly known by the name of “Taraf Banbhnauti,** while the other two tappas, from being in the hands of the Rautárs, were known as " Taraf Rautar." The traditions of these two families, as related by them- selves, are as follows: The Teraris... Rudau Tewari is said to have been a native of the Gorakhpur district (Sarwár), who, about 600 years ago, was proceeding on a bathing pilgrimage to Allahabad. During his journey ho rested at the village of Chandápur, where then resided Báwan Pándé, an influential agent of the Bhars, of whom mention has been mado in the report of par- gana Aldemau. The traveller was reported to be an accomplished astro- loger, and he was therefore employed to tell the fortune of the Pánde, which in effect was that he would be struck down by lightning, unless he avoided this fate by undergoing a course of severe religious exercises. Tests having been successfully applied to the astrologer's veracity, his advice was followed by the happiest results; and for this good service in hav- ing turned the tide of the Pando's destiny, lands were assigned to the Tewari in rent-free tenure, and he then founded and lived in the village of Rudaupur, giving to it his own name, which it to this day bears. Sub- sequent to these proceedings, when the Bhars began to decline, Rudau and his descendants adopted the then rising cause of the Muhammadans, and by their favour made considerable acquisitions in territory. He had six sons...(1) Sewal, (2) Dharam, (3) Karan, (4) Dei, (5) Jaisaran, and (6) Maki. The two last of these died without issue, but of the other four there are offsprings to this day. According to the oldest records now exist- ing, which are for the year (1197 fasli) A.D. 1790, the family held in that year eight estatos (muháls) consisting of 60% villages, paying Rs. 7,350 as revenue to Government yearly. These Brahmans have, however, gradually lost power since about (1216 fasli) A.D. 1809, when their possessions began to be absorbed by other more powerful clans. In (1261 fasli) A.D. 1854, they had but one property of 3} villages, paying Rs. 500 per annum as revenue left, and this also became absorbed into the Meopur-Dabarua taluqa in the following year; so that these Brahmans had lost all proprie- tary status ere the province was annexed. They still, however, exercise sub-proprietary rights in 267 villages, paying annual revenue to the amount of Rs. 3,700. The Raztárs. There is a bar sinister on the escutcheon of this family. The name of the common ancestor, a Brahman, who is said to have come alone, and not to the other families of Brahmans inhabiting this pargana. 54
 * The term "Barbhnauti," I may state, is a generic ono, applied to these Tewaries