The Sirpur (Tandur) Samasthanam
Gond Zamindari of the Deccan | The Atram Rajas & the 1611 Sanad
The Sirpur (often written Sirpur (T) or Sirpur‑Tandur) Samasthanam was an ancient feudal estate in the Deccan that later became part of the Nizam’s dominions. Centered around the historic town of Sirpur (now in Komaram Bheem district, Telangana), the samasthanam grew around a historic fort and served as an administrative sub‑unit (taluk) in the Nizam‑era revenue arrangements. The area was initially carved out as a sub‑district called Sirpur‑Tandur in 1872 during Asaf Jahi rule, which included taluks like Edlabad (Adilabad), Rajura, and Sirpur. This administrative name is why the samasthanam is often referred to as “Sirpur (Tandur).” The local Gond lineage held the status of Tutelary Rajas (Zamindars), and in 1869 the Nizams gave these Tutelary Rajas proprietary rights to their estates, solidifying their local authority.
The Gond rulers of Sirpur were part of the larger Gondwana kingdom that flourished in central India. Their capital was at Chanda (now Chandrapur, Maharashtra). The Sirpur branch held sway over the hilly and forested tracts of present‑day Komaram Bheem district. In 1751 CE, the Chanda Kingdom was annexed by the Maratha Bhonsles of Nagpur. From that moment, the Chanda royal line, including the ancestors of the Sirpur zamindars, became vassals of the Bhonsles. Later, after the British defeated the Bhonsles, they became zamindars under the British administration in the Central Provinces.
A key historical document – a sanad (land grant) issued by Emperor Aurangzeb in 1611 AD – was granted to the ancestors of the Atram Rajas of Sirpur (Kanchanpalli). This sanad proved their historical land rights and connection to the Mughal (and later Nizam) administration. The descendants of the Atram Rajas still possess this original document, making it one of the oldest surviving feudal charters in the Deccan.
In 1803, as a result of war between the British and Raghoji Bhonsle II, the latter ceded the territory of Berar to the British under the Treaty of Deogaon. The British, in turn, passed it on to their ally, the Nizam of Hyderabad, under treaty obligations for his co‑operation in the war. Consequently, Sirpur – the ancient seat of the Gond rulers – passed into the hands of the Asaf Jahi rulers. The Nizams confirmed the local Gond zamindars as Tutelary Rajas (proprietary rights in 1869), allowing them to collect revenue and maintain local order while paying annual peshkush.
The Atram Rajas of Sirpur in Utnur taluk were related to and initially subordinate to the Atram Rajas of Chanda, but the Sirpur zamindari gradually became a separate estate. It included the town of Sirpur and its surrounding villages, including Kanchanpalli. The importance of this branch is highlighted by their continuing possession of the 1611 AD sanad. Ethnographer Christoph von Fürer‑Haimendorf documented their history in the 1940s, noting that these local zamindars held significant power over revenue collection and local administration within the large Nizam state.
He was not from the senior Chanda royal line but was a historically important Gond chief who established one of the seats of power for the Sirpur Atram clan. He set up the village of Kanchanpalli and dug a well for the villagers, demonstrating his role as a community builder.
Recognized as Deshmukh (local revenue chief). He lived in Mamidpalli at the end of his life and not in Sirpur.
Ruler of the Sirpur estate during the mid‑19th century.
Accepted the offer of Bhim Rao of Kanchanpalli to help him in the administration of Sirpur Patti (sub‑division).
The last prominent ruler before the abolition of the zamindari. In 1942, ethnographer Christoph von Fürer‑Haimendorf and his wife Elizabeth first came to Kanchanpalli (in Sirpur (U) mandal, about 12 km from Jainoor mandal headquarters) seeking help from Bheem Rao senior for their research work on the Gond tribes. He was a cooperative and enlightened chief who facilitated the study of Gond culture.
Other associated families: The Sitagondi rajas ruled over part of the present Asifabad taluk and gave to the ancestor of the Maravi rajas the village of Borda (Borjam) near Dorli between Asifabad and Tilani.
The Sirpur estate was a Tutelary Raj / Zamindari under Hyderabad State. It was part of the Sirpur‑Tandur sub‑district created in 1872. The zamindar collected land revenue from villages and paid a fixed annual tribute (peshkush) to the Nizam’s treasury.
The economy was primarily agrarian, with forest produce (timber, tendu leaves) forming an important secondary source. The region was later known for the Sirpur Paper Mills (Kaghaznagar) established during the Nizam’s time, which gave the area its alternate name.
The majority population were Gonds, along with other tribal communities (Pardhan, Kolam) and some non‑tribal cultivators. The Atram rajas were regarded as traditional chiefs and intermediaries between the Nizam’s government and the tribal population.
The most tangible heritage is the Sirpur Fort, now partly in ruins, which served as the zamindar’s seat. The town also has old Gond period structures, wells, and temples. The 1611 AD sanad is itself a priceless cultural artifact, representing the continuity of Gond administrative traditions from Mughal to Nizam times. The Atram rajas also patronised local Gond festivals and customs, preserving tribal identity.
Chronology & Milestones
Legacy of the Sirpur Samasthanam
The Sirpur Samasthanam represents a remarkable continuity of Gond tribal aristocracy from medieval times to the mid‑20th century. The 1611 AD Aurangzeb sanad is a rare surviving document that authenticates the deep historical roots of the Atram family. Today, the town of Sirpur (T) is a mandal headquarters in Komaram Bheem district. The Sirpur Paper Mills (Kaghaznagar) remains a landmark, though the zamindari has long been abolished. The Atram descendants still live in the region, and the memory of Bheemrao Senior’s cooperation with anthropologists is preserved in academic literature. The ruins of the fort and the old Gond heritage sites are slowly being recognised as part of Telangana’s tribal history.
- Sirpur-Chanda Gond Dynasty – Telangana360
- Christoph von Fürer‑Haimendorf, “The Gonds of Andhra Pradesh” (1940s field diaries)
- Hyderabad State Gazetteer – Adilabad District (1931)
- Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909)
- Telangana State Archives – Jagir and Zamindari records (Sirpur Tandur file)
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