Ramandrug
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Ramandrug
Sanitarium of Bellary, situated in 15 8' N. and 76 30' E., within the limits of the Native State of SANDUR, attached to the Madras Presidency. Criminal jurisdiction has been made ovei by the Raja to the Madras Government (with certain restrictions), and affairs within it are controlled by the Collector of Bellary. The sanitarium consists of a small plateau, ij miles long by half a mile wide, on the top of the southern of the two ranges of hill which enclose the valley of Sandiir. It is 3,256 feet above the sea and about 1,400 feet above the bottom of the valley. On all sides the ground falls sharply away ; and this characteristic, though it affords numerous excellent views into the Sandur valley on the one side and over the western taluks of Bellary as far as the Tungabhadra on the other, gives the place a cramped air which the various paths cut along the hill-sides do not serve to remove. The place is called after the village and fort of the same name which stand at the southern end of the plateau. Remains of the old defences, in the shape of a considerable wall of enormous blocks of stone, are still visible. Local tradition says they were built by, and named after, a poligar called Komara Rama, who is still a popular hero. A favourite play in Sandur is one in which his step- mother treats him as Potiphar's wife did Joseph, but in which his innocence is ultimately established. The buildings on the plateau include barracks, a hospital, &c., built m 1855 and designed to accom- modate about 70 soldiers , and some fifteen bungalows belonging to various residents of Bellary. Two carriage roads run along the whole length of the station, There are several mineral springs in it. A short distance down the cliff on the southern side is a cave leading into a passage, which has been followed a great distance into the hill. The annual rainfall averages 39 inches, and the temperature is 12 cooler than that of Bellary. The mean for April and May is about 80, and the highest figure on record in the hottest months is 87 in the shade. During the south-west monsoon the chilly fogs which wrap the place about from sunset to 10 a.m., and often later, make fires almost a necessity.
Three roads lead to the station ; one from Bavihalli, a village on the road between Sandur and Hospet ; a second from Hospet \ and the third from Narayanadevarakeri. They are all practicable for carts. The first was the usual route from Bellary before the railway line was extended to Hospet. The second road, that from Hospet, is now the usual route, the distance from the railway station being 14 miles. Europeans reside in the station only in the hotter months from March to June. A sub-magistrate is stationed here during this period. For the rest of the year the place is deserted, except by the inhabitants of the village of Ramandrug.
