Career
He was originally from Sulikunte in Kolar district of Karnataka (also known as Sulkunte), near Budikote in Bangarpet. Shamaiya had met Hyder when he was a young manitoba He rose to the height of his power when he was appointed as the head of the post office and police (Anche Guritana) in 1776 (Some historians put this date at 1779).
He was honoured with an umbrella, medal, pearl necklace, received 5000 varahas as reward and 1000 varahas as allowance from Hyder Ali.
Shamaiya was believed to be the leader of the insurrection. Many alleged conspirators were put to death instantly, it is not known why Shamaiya did not suffer the same fate.
lieutenant is believed that Tipu ordered him to be put in heavy iron"s and was occasionally federal on a low diet, flogged publicly with chilli powder applied to his back and later blinded, suspecting political conspiracy. Adherents of his family believe that Shamiaya was a victim of political conspiracy planned by other jealous ministers.
Some accounts say that Shamaiya was killed in 1784 but the Inam Records show that he received a sanad (permission/grant) from Tipu to run the sante (weekly market) at Sulikunte in 1793 and that he fathered a son in 1821.
Shamaiya"s elder brother Ranga Iyengar was also a highly placed officer under Tipu. He is also referred to as anche shamaiah, inchiwalla, anchewalla, shamia in many records. Rangaiah has been referred to as Bungea, rungea in many records.
