Sir Thomas Munroe
In 1800, the British Govt enacted an act to take over the lands that were donated by the kings. Manthralaya also came under this act and Thomas Manro was the Collector of Bellary then. When the revenue officials were unable to comply with this order, Sir Thomas himself visited the Math for investigation. He knew about Sri Rahavemdhra before and so entered the Brindhavan after removing his shoes and hat. He went near the Brindhavan and he was conversing with “Sri Raghavendhra from within the Brindhavan” in the presence of other officials. While others can hear only what Thomas manro was talking they could not hear the “other voice”. Then he did a sashtanga namaskars to the Brindhavan and took back the Akshathai (yellow sacred rice) and ordered to mix it with the rice for his food to be prepared for the day.
All the priests in the Math were much annoyed, because in spite of their long and sincere service, he did not give them dharshan. That night, Sri Raghavendhra appeared in the dream of the chief priest and told him that as Prahaladha, he and Munroe were class-mates in Kritha Yuga and he was destined to perform this noble deed of solving the Math’s problem. Hence the unique privilege.
Thomas Manro was just a settlement clerk at that time and so he could only recommend to cancel the take over act of Mantralaya but the final decision/act should come from Chennai Governor General. Sri Raghavendhra played his miracle there also. Yes, Sir Thomas Manro was elevated to the Governor General of Chennai and he signed his own recommendation of cancelling the take over of Mantralaya. He became then a staunch devotee of Sri Raghavendhra. His statue of sitting on a horse is still there in the Chennai Mount road near the Island grounds.
This order is still preserved in Fort St. George, Chennai and the full text of the order is here:
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