Feudatory States in Chhattisgarh | Chhattisgarh State PSC (CGPSC) Preparation: All subjects - CGPSC (Chhattisgarh) PDF Download

Introduction

The region of Chhattisgarh has a historical legacy dating back to the 4th century CE, initially known as Southern Kosala. The term "Chhattisgarh" denoting "thirty-six forts" historically referred to the domain of the Haihaya dynasty of Ratanpur, established around 750 CE. During British colonial rule, the present-day Chhattisgarh area encompassed a sector featuring 14 princely kingdoms under the Eastern States Agency. Raipur served as the administrative center for this division.

Feudatory States in Chhattisgarh

The Chhattisgarh feudatory states with the Central Provinces in 1905 are:

• Bastar, Kanker, Nandgaon, Khairagarh, Chhuikhadan, Kawardha, Raigarh, Sakti, Sarangarh, Surguja, Udaipur, Jashpur, Korea, and Chang Bhakar all had a political representative, along with several land estates.

Bastar

• Bastar state emerged as a princely realm in India during the British Raj era, supposedly established in the early 14th century by a sibling of the final ruler of the Kakatiya dynasty, Prataparudra II. 
• By the early 19th century, this state integrated into the Central Provinces and Berar under British governance. On January 1, 1948, it acceded to the Indian Union, eventually becoming part of Madhya Pradesh in 1956 and later merging into the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh state in 2000. 
• Bastar state was situated in the southeastern corner of the Central Provinces and Berar, bordered by Kanker State to the north, the Godavari district of Madras States Agency to the south, Chanda District and Hyderabad State to the west, and the Jeypore estate in Orissa to the east.

Historical background

• During the pre-colonial era, Bastar was a part of the Mughal and later the Maratha Empire, maintaining some isolation due to its geographical challenges.
• In 1818, after the decline of Maratha power, the British established a political relationship with Bastar, leading to its official inclusion under British indirect rule in 1853.
• The British administration in Bastar involved interventions such as implementing new forest policies, displacing tribal communities from their lands, and influencing royal successions.
• Titular Holders Since Indian Independence:
  • Vijay Chandra Bhanj Deo
  • Bharat Chandra Bhanj Deo
  • Kamal Chandra Bhanj Deo

Kanker

• Kanker State was a princely state in India during the British Raj. Its final ruler agreed to join the Indian Union in 1947.
• Kanker State was situated north of Bastar State, with the exception of the Mahanadi valley in its eastern region.
• In 1881, the state had 63,610 people, growing to 103,536 in 1901, with over half being Gonds.
• The capital of Kanker State was Kanker town in Kanker District, Chhattisgarh, where the Raja resided.
• The primary languages spoken in the state were Chhattisgarhi and Gondi.

Historical background

• The historical roots of Kanker State trace back to its founding in the early 2nd century by Raja Satkarni of the Satavahana dynasty. The state faced occupation by the Marathas of Nagpur in 1809, leading to the removal of power from the Raja. 
• However, in 1818, post the Maratha Empire's defeat and Nagpur's transition into a British protectorate, local governance was reinstated under British oversight, with a tribute of Rs 500 initially imposed and later remitted in 1823. 
• During the British Raj, Kanker was among the 26 feudatory states of the Chhattisgarh States Agency. The state officially acceded to the Indian Union on 15 August 1947, with its last ruler, Bhanupratap Deo, signing the accession agreement.

Nandgaon

• Nandgaon, also referred to as Raj Nandgaon, emerged as one of the princely states during British colonial rule. 
• The town of Nandgaon, situated in present-day Rajnandgaon District in Chhattisgarh, served as the sole urban center of the state and the seat of the ruler's residence. 
• Ghasi Das Mahant, the inaugural ruler, gained recognition as a feudal chief from the British administration in 1865 and received a sanad of adoption. Subsequently, the British bestowed the title of 'raja' upon the ruling mahant.

Historical background

• The origins of the Nandgaon estate trace back to Prahlad Das, a shawl merchant who migrated from the Punjab region in the 18th century. When he settled in Ratanpur, the area was under the rule of the Bhonsle clan of Marathas.
• Prahlad Das belonged to the Bairagi sect, whose members practiced strict celibacy. Succession within this sect was maintained by selecting disciples, known as Chelas, who would become Mahants and inherit the possessions of their predecessors.
• Prahlad Das accumulated wealth, and after his death, his disciple Hari Das was granted power and influence by the local Maratha ruler, who appointed him as his spiritual advisor.
• Over approximately a century, the Mahants gained control over four parganas: Nandgaon, Pandadah, Mohgaon, and Dongargaon, which were former feudatory estates of the Raja of Nagpur.
• In 1865, the four feudatory parganas ruled by the Bairagi Mahants were merged to form the Nandgaon State, which was recognized as a princely state. The vow of celibacy among the rulers lasted until 1879 when the seventh Mahant, Ghasi Das, who had married and had a son, was recognized by the British government as a hereditary ruler.
• The majority of the state's population consisted of Gonds, Telis, Chamars, and Ahirs, who lived in 515 small villages within the area.
• The last ruler of Nandgaon State signed the accession to the Indian Union on January 1, 1948.
• The rulers of the princely state of Nandgaon held the title of 'Mahant.'

Khairagarh

• Khairagarh State existed in India during British rule.
• The town of Khairagarh, located in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon District, served as the state's capital and the residence of the Raja.

Historical background

• Khairagarh estate was established in 1833.
• In 1898, Khairagarh estate gained recognition as a state.
• The majority of the state's residents were Gonds, Lodhis, Chamars, and Ahirs living in 497 small villages and the main town.
• The rulers belonged to the Rajput Nagavamshi dynasty.
• The final ruler of Khairagarh State officially joined the Indian Union on 1 January 1948.

Chhuikhadan

• Chhuikhadan, also known as Kondka, was a small princely state during British India, later becoming part of the Chhattisgarh States Agency. 
• The state flag was a purple triangle, and its capital was Chhuikhadan.

Historical background

• The chief of Chhuikhadan was a Kunwar from the Bairagi dynasty, known as Mahants. Initially under the Bhonsles of Nagpur, the first chief was Mahant Rup Das in 1750. 
• After the Marathas were defeated, the British recognized the chiefs as feudatory rulers in 1865, granting the title and sanad to Mahant Laxman Das. The last ruling chief, Mahant Ritu Purna Kishor Das, signed the accession to the Union of India on 1 February 1948.

Kawardha

• Kawardha State was a princely state in the Central Provinces of India during British rule, with its capital in Khairagarh town, now part of Kabirdham district in Chhattisgarh.

Historical background

• Founded in 1751, Kawardha State is said to have derived its name from Kabirdham, reflecting the influence of Kabir panth adherents in the area. The rulers were Gonds of the Raj Gond clan. 
• The last ruler, Thakur Lal Dharamraj Singh, signed the accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1948, after which the state was merged into Bombay State, eventually becoming part of Chhattisgarh.

Raigarh

• Raigarh was a princely state in India during British rule, governed by a Raj Gond dynasty.

Historical background

• Raigarh estate was established in 1625 and recognized as a state in 1911. The Rajas of Raigarh also held the title of Chief of Bargarh. The state became a princely state under British rule in 1911, during the reign of Raja Bahadur Bhup Deo Singh. 
• Notable rulers include Deonath Singh, who assisted the British during the 1857 Mutiny, and Raja Chakradhar Singh, who contributed significantly to Kathak and Hindustani music. 
• The last ruler, Lalit Kumar Singh, signed the accession to the Indian Union on 14 December 1947, leading to the formation of Raigarh district in Chhattisgarh.

Sakti

• Sakti State was a princely state during the British Raj, part of the Chhattisgarh States Agency, and later the Eastern States Agency. Its capital was Sakti town.

Historical background

• The rulers of Sakti were Raj Gonds. The state’s founding date is unknown, but legend says it was established by twin brothers who were soldiers of the Raja of Sambalpur. 
• The last ruler, Rana Bahadur Leeladhar Singh, succeeded in 1914, and the princely state acceded to the Indian Union on 1 January 1948.

Sarangarh

• Sarangarh was a princely state in India during British rule, ruled by a Raj Gond dynasty. Its capital was Sarangarh town, now part of Chhattisgarh.

Historical background

• Sarangarh state is said to have been founded in the first century AD by Gond ancestors from Bhandara. Initially a dependency of the Ratanpur Kingdom, it later became one of the Garhjat states under Sambalpur. 
• Sarangarh became a British protectorate in 1818. Due to economic mismanagement and the infancy of its ruler, Bhawani Pratap Singh, the state was under British administration between 1878 and 1889. Sarangarh State acceded to the Indian Union on 1 January 1948.

Surguja

• Surguja State was a significant princely state in Central India during the British Raj, though it did not receive a gun salute. 
• Its capital was Ambikapur, now part of Surguja district in Chhattisgarh.

Historical background

• Surguja’s rulers were descended from the Raksel Raja of Palamau. The state became a British protectorate in 1818 after the Third Anglo-Maratha War. 
• Neighbouring Udaipur State was an offshoot of Surguja, granted to the younger son of Maharaja Amar Singh Deo. The hereditary title of Maharaja was conferred on the ruling chief in 1820. 
• The last ruler, Maharaja Ramanuj Saran Singh Deo, signed the accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1948.

Udaipur

• Udaipur State was a princely state in India during British rule, with its capital at Dharamjaigarh. 
• After India’s independence, Udaipur State merged with other princely states to form Raigarh district in Chhattisgarh.

Historical background

• Udaipur State was founded in 1818 as an offshoot of Surguja State. The rulers were Rajputs of the Raksel dynasty. The state became a British protectorate in 1818. 
• The last ruler of Udaipur signed the accession to the Indian Union on 1 January 1948, and the rulers held the title of ‘Raja’.

Jashpur

• Jashpur State was a princely state in India during the British Raj, with its capital in the town of Jashpur. 
• The rulers were Rajputs of the Chauhan dynasty.

Historical background

• Jashpur was originally ruled by the Dom dynasty during the Mughal Empire. Sujan Rai, a Suryavanshi Rajput from Banswada, led a rebellion and became the ruler. 
• The state became a British protectorate in 1818 and later merged with other princely states to form Raigarh district in Chhattisgarh after India’s independence.

Korea

• Korea State, also known as Koriya, was a princely state under the British Empire in India. 
• It later became part of Surguja district and eventually Chhattisgarh state.

Historical background

• Korea State was founded in the 17th century by Rajputs of the Chauhan dynasty from Rajputana. The state became a British protectorate in 1819. 
• After the extinction of the direct line in 1897, a distant collateral branch was recognized as the ruling family. The state acceded to the Indian Union on 1 January 1948.

Changbhakar

• Changbhakar State, also known as Chang Bhakar, was a princely state under the British Empire in India, within the Chhattisgarh States Agency. Its capital was Bharatpur.

Historical background

• Changbhakar was established as a zamindari in 1790, carved out of Korea State. It became a tributary state of British India after the Anglo-Maratha war in the early 19th century. 
• Recognized as a state in 1819, it was placed under the Chota Nagpur Tributary States in 1821 and later under the Chhattisgarh division of Central Provinces. The state acceded to the Indian Union on 1 January 1948 and is now part of Koriya district in Chhattisgarh.