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144 establishing that it was a Polliam and not a mere Zemindari, which, as already observed, does not necessarily imply impartibility. Whether the estate existed as a Polliam prior to the Mahomedan rule or not, is thus the next question for consideration. The plaintiff's own exhibit A (the History of Etaiyapuram published by one Swami Dikshadar) shows that the family was founded so far back as in A.D. 803; that 36 successions intervened between the original founder and the present 1st defendant; and that during this long period of 1,000 years there was not a single instance of a partition having taken place of the estate. Throughout this book the Polligar is spoken of as a sovereign prince. It is true that this book was filed by plaintiff for the limited purpose of showing that his grandfather was not the son of his immediate predecessor; but this will not prevent the Court from reading the whole book as one document and availing itself of other informations therein contained. * * *

"For the foregoing reasons I find that the Estate of Etaiyapuram was a Principality; that from the nature of its constitution, as a sort of sovereignty, it has been all along impartible; and that the villages acquired during the time of Plaintiff's grandfather and father form accretions to it and are therefore equally impartible."

He made to the Local Board a free gift of the road leading to Calugumalai, 8 miles long, laid out and maintained at his own cost. For the completion of the bridge at Srivaikuntam across the Tambraparni he lent with the approval of the Government, Rupees 35,000 to the District Board of Tinnevelly. His tenants were greatly benefited during his time since all the irrigation works underwent thorough repairs.