British Imperialism and Native Resistance in India

This work explores the various steps taken by the British in the second half of the 18th Century to undermine the authority and power of Narasimha Opparow, zamindar of Nuzvid, one of the ancient and extensive native estates in Andhra. The moves in the direction met with stout resistance at every stage from the turbulent native chief and his followers. Following his arbitrary removal from all power there began an era of confrontation and contest between the two contending powers. The attempts to seize the person of the zamindar first at Nuzvid and later at Masulipatam were foiled by his followers. The women residing in the fort of Nuzvid were equally firm in their resolve not to allow the government sepoys’ entry into the fort. Unstable conditions prevailed in the country even after the death of the deposed Zamindar. This situation forced the British to change their policy and buy peace by partitioning the Zamindari and restoring it to the members of the opparow family. The present work constitutes an entirely original contribution to modern history, for it provides insights into the British imperial interests and the heroic native turbulence witnessed in the area.

Dr. B. Kesavanarayana was educated at Osmania University, Hyderabad, and taught at Aurangabad and Nuzvid. He is now Professor of Modern History at Andhra University, Visakhapatnam (A.P.). He is also the author of 'Political and Social Factors in Andhra 1900-1956' and several research papers.