Gond royal of Chandrapur wants to revive old relations with adivasis in Telangana

KESLAPUR (ADILABAD): Dr Bheershah Atram, popularly known as the Gond Raja of Chandrapur in Maharashtra, is trying to revive his ancestors' relations with the adivasis of Telangana.

As part of this endeavour, the scion of the former Gond rulers of the Chandagarh (Chanda Kingdom) is looking for brides for his sons from Telangana state. He said, “A raja should not only adhere to traditions but also act as the servant of the people. These are times of democracy and I must do my duty to my people.”

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Dr Atram said he would like his sons to marry girls from among the adivasis in Telangana. “I have some relatives in the Komaram Bheem Asifabad and Adilabad districts.”

Dr Atram is the son of king Krishna Shah. “He had good relations with former ministers, the late Kotnak  Bheemrao and Godam Ramarao of the Gond Samaj from erstwhile Adilabad district,” said Dr Atram about his father.

Dr Atram said his relatives were present in Modi, Kerameri and Sirpur in Adilabad and added that Sirpur (T) held the throne of the Chanda kingdom while Adilabad, Karimnagar, and Warangal areas came under the Chanda kingdom. He said, “We have had a long association with the Telugu people ever since the Chanda Kingdom existed.”

Dr Atram visited Keslapur temple and participated in the Mahapuja at the Nagoba temple at this village in Indravelli mandal.  

The Raja said he would like to set up an English-medium educational centre and a hospital to give free service to the people of Adilabad on condition that the government provided the required land. He said his family has no land though it ruled the region in the past. The government took over their lands after Independence, he said.     

There exists an arch of the Chandrapur kingdom in Sirpur in the Komaram Bheem Asifabad district. Also, there are many forts of the Gond rajas in the region. The Utnoor, Sirpur (T) and Tandur forts are in a dilapidated condition.