Goday Narayana Gajapathi Rao

Sir Goday Narayana Gajapathi Rao KCIE (December 1, 1828 – May 1903) was an Indian aristocrat and politician who served as a member of the Madras Legislative Council from 1868 to 1884.^[1]

Early life and education

Gajapathi Rao was born on December 1, 1828 to Goday Suryanarayana Rao in the family of the zamindars of Anakapalle. He received his early education in private by Sri Paravasthu Srinivasachariar. Gajapathi Rao joined Hindu College, Calcutta in January 1841 and stayed in Calcutta till April 1849 when he returned to Vizagapatam to assist his brother in the management of his hereditary estates

Nizam's government gave large grants of land to Goday Bhupathi garu in recognition of his services. He built two temples for Siva and Kesava. His successor Goday Pedda Surya Rao garu received a sword from Nizam as a present for his service in battle field. In the 17th century Britishers came into actual possession of the circars. Mr. Andrews, the Chief in Service of East India Company was obliged to Sri Goday Jugga Rao garu, representative of Goday families for his help in times of emergency. East India Company presented him a 'Shaiban Palkee', an umbrella and other insignia of royalty.

Goday Jugga Rao garu was a great promoter of Telugu literature and orthodox Hindu, he practiced 'Saptha Santhana' Seven good works of perpetuality. He also founded a choultry in Kashi. He died in 1805 leaving two sons, Surya Prakasa Rao and Surya Narayana Rao and three daughters, Subhadrayamma, Bangaramma and Laskminarsayamma. In the days of no female education he provided decent education to his daughters. His daughter Subharayamma (married to Madina family and known as Madina Subhadrayamma) evinced great interest in Telugu poetry and acquired reputation of a poet.

Goday Surya Praksa Rao garu was a highly accomplished scholar and owned a large horticultural garden in Anakapalli. Upon his death in 1841, his extensive estates devolved upon his widow and after her, upon her younger surviving daughter. After her death, son of her uncle, Maharaja Sir G.N. Gajapathi Rao garu became the reversionary heir.

Goday Suryanaryana Rao had two sons, Venkata Jugga Rao and Narayana Gajapathi Rao. He sent elder son Venkata Jugga Rao to Madras and younger son Narayana Gajapathi Rao to Calcutta for studies. The journey to these places was very tough those days as no trains or safe roads exist. Still these enthusiastic youths travelled all the way to their destinations under proper escorts and guardians.

Maharajah Sir Goday Narayana Gajapathi Rao garu was the last direct male lineal representative of the ancient goday family, was born on December 1, 1828. He received education at home from Sri Paravasthu Srinivasachariayr. At the age of thirteen he was sent to Calcutta in January 1841 for further education at Hindu College. After nine years of stay in Calcutta Sri Goday Narayana Gajapathi Rao garu returned to Vizagapatam in April 1849 and joined his brother in management of revenue affairs of their estates. He was instrumental in establishment of Hindu College at Vizagapatam.

In 1875 famine, Sir Goday Narayana Gajapathi Rao garu opened relief houses in his estates where the poor and destitute were daily fed. He founded a Sanskrit Prize at University of Madras which is known as the 'Godayvari Sanskrit Prize'.

The two most unhappy and painful events in his life were first the unexpected and untimely widowhood of his elder daughter, the Rani Sahiba of Wadhwan and premature death of his younger daughter, the Rani of Kurupam. After these incidents Maharjah could not discharge his duties with usual energy and interest. Maharajah Sir Goday Narayana Gajapathi Rao garu died in May 1903.

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