Page:The Aristocracy of Southern India.djvu/106

79c of Delhi in 1324 A. D., Annappa Aswarao who is now reckoned as the progenitor of the family was the ruling chief of the estate. The Emperor however established his suzerainty over Annappa Aswarao, and granted him a free perpetual sunnud on feudal tenure under the condition of supplying the Imperial army with five hundred soldiers whenever called upon. The Zemindari had been enjoyed by eighteen descendants of the family in succession with independent right free of any kind of assessment. Afterwards the Emperor Aurangzib, also called Alamghir Badsha, once in war sought the help of a chief of this family and a Rajah of Bholapur, and being greatly pleased with the valor and prowess displayed by them both, made them Badshahee Munsubdars.

The ruling Zemindar in 1796 was Rajah Narasimha Aswa Rao. Just then, there were many changes in the Supreme Government at Delhi, and the Zemindar, whose assistance was sought by the Moghul Emperor, asserted his right and refused to comply with his request. Zafrad-daulah, also known as Zabid Jung, who was on hostile terms with Rajah Narasimha Aswa Rao foully murdered him and carried away immense treasure, and also the old sunnuds and other important papers connected with the estate. To the titles of the Aswara Rao family were added the distinguished epithets of Rifuth va avail panaha. H. H. The Nizam took possession of the estate which under his management was called Parganai Hasanbad va Senharagiri Sarhar Kammamet Suhai Phiralmnd Buniyad Hyderabad Deccan.

After the death of Zafarudowla, Ramachendra Aswa Rao, one of the descendants of Narasimha Aswa Rao, regained his estate and enjoyed it for a year. Later on,