Translation of the Note written by Shri Savadas Viram in local dialect of Mer peopIe—(Script Gujarati) which was discovered by his son Jivabhai Savadas Modhavadia while he opened an old book.
My father Mer Viram Lundha, when he was alive saw many things in the state. He told all these to me (Savadas Viram) regarding Porbandar State. I have written all these in my note book.
Rana Vikamatji used to rule Por (Porbandar) state. He had a big palace near the temple of Veraval Mata on Shitala Chowk. In that place, there are memorial stones of the persons of Mer Community who were shot dead through canon.
Rana Vikamatji had two names—another name was Bhojraj. He had come to Porbandar when he was a child. He was a very nice person. He was quite religious. He used to keep big moustache. He used to wear typical dress of a Mer (turban, iron ring in the wrist, etc). He was considered very kind hearted and helpful ruler among the ruled people. In his state there was Pandu Brahmin Diwan (Shankar Pandurang Pandit). The State priest was a tall Brahmin. In his state army there were Jethawa Rajput as well as Mer Pathan. In the times of Rana Vikamatji there were many welfare centres for the suffering people in Porbandar, there were religious places near the sea coast, where poor people used to stay and eat. Lot of charities were done to mendicants, ladies were specially taken care of, and any dirty talks never took place in the state.
During the time of Vikamatji, a monk (Sadhu maharaj) had come in Porbandar state. This Maharaj had stayed in the big palace in Shitala Chowk. That Maharaj used to wear the dress of a sannyasin. His face was big, and he was a pious man. His forehead used to shine a lot. He used to speak in Hindi language, sometimes some other language also got mixed up, he also used to speak the language of white people (English). He used to tell his name as Sachhidananda. He used to talk on religious matters in the chowk (square) behind the palace (Darbargadh) in the afternoon; about 50-100 people used to assemble to listen to him. He used to talk upto evening. He used to talk about bringing about reform in Hindu religion. He used to talk about five vices. Vikamatji, Pandu Diwan, state priest and people of the state used to listen to his religious talk and even the queen (Ranima) also used to come for listening.
That Maharaj used to stay in the room of Darbargadh situated on the Eastern side, on the upper floor. That Maharaj used to keep a big stick. When the time of stay of that Maharaj in the palace came to an end, the king brought two big sticks from Barda hills and gave them to the Maharaj and also put on a white turban on his head. At that time, both the King and that Maharaj became happy. That Maharaj was respected very much by the King.
Afterwards that Maharaj stayed for about 16 weeks in a big house situated near Rann of Bhojeswar Plot. Pandu Diwan had kept him there. We also went there and there also, he used to talk on religious matters. He was a well built man. He used to wear Chakhadi, used to keep one big stick in one hand and a Kamandalu in another hand. Vikamatji used to look after that Maharaj with great care. He used to give him a royal Victorian horse carriage with four horses, two bodyguards, a coachman and also a guide. That Maharaj used to sit in that Bagi (horse carriage). He once went to Khimeshwar Mahadev Temple through Kuchhadi (name of the village) that time we also went there by walking. About 15 to 17 young people and a few children assembled there. That time that Maharaj talked on religious matters. Afterwards that Maharaj went to the temple of Vinza Bhagat of Visawada, afterwards he went to see the temple of Harshadmata in Koyal. That Maharaj used to sit in a platform and used to speak slowly and calmly in Hindi language, sometimes he used to stammer, he used to talk about reforming Hindu religion and serving the poor and used to talk nicely about God. From that Bungalow that Maharaj went to Ranavav, Vadvar, Kadorana, Degam, Bagavadar, Khabhodar, Odadar, Gosu, Chhaya, Barej, even upto Madhupur (Madhavpur). He used to go to many temples. He had gone to the temple of Shingada also. He also went to Bileswar, because that temple belonged to the state. There he had darshan of Shankar Bhagawan. Brahmin Diwan used to send pathan soldiers on the horse along with two servants with the Maharaj when he used to go to Barda Hills because there were many tigers in the forest on the hill. That Maharaj used to return before evenings to Bhojeswar bungalow on the horse carriage (Bagi). That Maharaj had come to Porbandar before Dussera and had become the guest of Vikamatji. During the procession of Dussera for the worship of weapons at Khijadi plot, Jethwa King Vikamatji sat on the horse carriage with four horses. That Maharaj was also requested to sit near the King. That Maharaj saw the worship of weapons at Khijadi plot and became very happy. At that time, I was accompanying that Maharaj and had his Darshan. That Maharaj was also amazed to witness the procession of Dussera and said that he had never witnessed such an event in his life. He was happy to play with the children. The State Priest (Rajgor) had performed the worship at Khijadi Plot, the weapons of the state were washed by five type of nectar. After that King Vikamatji had distributed sweets.
Sachchidananda Maharaj was very very happy to witness the decorated bullock-carts, dresses etc. of Mer Community. The roads of the villages were very rough; good roads were not there at all. One path was from Bokhira to Kuchhadi upto Dwarka. Another path was towards the Barda hills. One path was from Porbandar to new port. All these roads were rough.
All these things were told by my father Viram Lundha two to four times, that is why I have written them in my note book, I have written the facts witnessed by my father with his own eyes, I have written them so that someday my descendants may use them if needed.
Signature
Savadas Viram
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