Former Pricely States of Chhattisgarh and Zamindaris | Chhattisgarh State PSC (CGPSC) Preparation: All subjects - CGPSC (Chhattisgarh) PDF Download

Merger of Chhattisgarh States

• Chhattisgarh region comprised 15 princely states, with Bastar being the largest spanning 15029 sq. miles and having a population exceeding half a million. Conversely, Sakti was the smallest state, covering just 138 sq. miles with a population of approximately one lakh.
• Most of these states were established by indigenous tribal chiefs who, over time, asserted their status as Kshatriyas as per Indian societal norms.
• Originally functioning as Zamindaris and Jagirdaris, these states were elevated to the position of feudatories by the British following the formation of the Central Provinces in 1861.
• Post-independence, several of these states, notably Bastar, were transformed into districts, while others were amalgamated into the districts where they were geographically located.
• Below are the details of various former princely states and zamindaris in the Chhattisgarh region:
  • Bastar
  • Changbhakar
  • Chhuikandan
  • Jashpur
  • Kalahandi (Karond)
  • Kanker
  • Kawardha
  • Khairagarh
  • Koriya (Korea)
  • Nandgaon
  • Patna (Balangir)
  • Raigarh
  • Sakti
  • Sarangarh
  • Surguja
  • Udaipur (Dharamjaigarh)

Bastar State

• Bastar, historically one of the major princely states in Chhattisgarh, originated under the rule of Prataparudra II from the Kakatiya dynasty. It later evolved into Bastar district within Chhattisgarh. 
• During the early 19th century, Bastar became part of the Central Provinces and Berar under British governance. On January 1, 1948, it joined the Union of India, initially forming part of Madhya Pradesh until 1956, and eventually becoming a district in Chhattisgarh state in 2000. The current ruler is Maharaja Kamal Chandra Bhanj Deo of the Bhanj dynasty.

Changbhakar State

• Changbhakar State, alternatively known as Chang Bhakar, was a significant princely state within the Chhattisgarh States Agency during the British colonial era in India. The capital of this princely state was Bharatpur.
• In 1790, Changbhakar zamindari emerged from the territories of Korea State. Following the Anglo-Maratha conflict in the early 19th century, Changbhakar transitioned into a tributary state of British India. It was officially recognized as a state in 1819 and fell under the Chota Nagpur Tributary States' jurisdiction in 1821. 
• In October 1905, it was integrated into the Commissioner of Chhattisgarh division within the Central Provinces. Changbhakar acceded to the Union of India on January 1, 1948, and was subsequently placed under Surguja district in Central Provinces and Berar. Presently, it functions as a Subdivision and Tehsil within the Koriya district of Chhattisgarh state.

Chhuikandan State

• Chhuikandan State was a small princely state that later became part of the Chhattisgarh States Agency.
• The rulers of Chhuikandan were previously known as 'Raja' but started using the title 'Bhaiya' from 1865.
• Its flag bore a purple triangle, and the capital was Chhuikadan.

Jashpur State

• Jashpur State, part of the former princely states of Chhattisgarh, was ruled by the Chauhan dynasty.
• After India's independence, Jashpur State merged with other princely states to form Raigarh district, now part of Chhattisgarh.
• The town of Jashpur served as the capital.

Kalahandi State

• Kalahandi State, also known as Karond State, was a princely state under British rule with Bhawanipatna as its capital.
• It gained recognition as a state in 1874, and its last ruler signed accession to the Indian Union in 1948.

Kanker State

• Kanker State, located north of Bastar State, was a princely state predominantly covered by forests and hills.
• The last ruler of Kanker State acceded to the Indian Union in 1947.
• The state's capital was Kanker town in Kanker District, Chhattisgarh, and its population mainly spoke Chhattisgarhi and Gondi languages.

Kawardha State

• Kawardha State was a significant princely state in the Central Provinces of India during the British Raj era. It had Khairagarh town as its capital, situated in the Kabirdham district of Chhattisgarh state. 
• An important landmark in the vicinity is the Bhoramdeo Temple, located within 20 km west of the main town.

Khairagarh State

• Established in 1833, Khairagarh estate gained recognition as a state in 1898. The state housed a population primarily composed of Gonds, Lodhis, Chamars, and Ahirs residing in 497 small villages besides the main town. 
• Ruled by the Nagavamshi dynasty of Rajputs, Khairagarh State's final ruler signed the accession to the Indian Union on January 1, 1948.

Koriya State

• Korea State, now known as Koriya, was among the former princely states of Chhattisgarh and Zamindaris under the British rule in India. Post-independence in 1947, the ruler of Korea acceded to the Indian Union on January 1, 1948. 
• Subsequently, Koriya became part of the Surguja District in the Central Provinces and Berar province. In January 1950, the province was renamed Madhya Pradesh state. 
• Following November 2000, Koriya and the former princely state of Changbhakar merged to form Koriya district in Chhattisgarh state.

Nandgaon State

• Nandgaon State, also known as Raj Nandgaon, existed during the British Raj in India.
• Located in present-day Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh, it was a princely state with Nandgaon town as its sole urban center.
• The first ruler, Ghasi Das Mahant, was acknowledged as a feudal chief by the British government in 1865 and was granted a sanad of adoption.
• Subsequently, the British bestowed the title of 'raja' upon the ruling mahant.

Patna State

• Patna, also known as Patnagarh, was another former princely state in the Central Provinces of India under British rule.
• Its capital was situated in Balangir (Bolangir).

Raigarh State

• Raigarh was a princely state in India during the British Raj, ruled by the Raj Gond dynasty of the Gond clan.

Sakti State

• Sakti State was one of the former princely states of Chhattisgarh and Zamindaris in India during the British Raj.
• It belonged to the Chhattisgarh States Agency, later becoming the Eastern States Agency, with Sakti town as its capital.
• The rulers were Hindu and received a privy purse of 29,000 rupees.
• This princely state acceded to the Indian Union on 1 January 1948.

Sarangarh State

• Sarangarh was a former princely state and Zamindaris in Chhattisgarh, India during the British Raj, governed by a Raj Gond dynasty.
• The emblem of the state was a turtle, and its capital was Sarangarh town, now part of Chhattisgarh state.
• Except for its capital, the state did not have any significant towns.

Surguja State

• Surguja State, a significant former Princely State in Chhattisgarh and a Zamindari in Central India during the British Raj era, held a notable position despite lacking a gun salute entitlement. 
• Initially under the Central India Agency, it later shifted to the Eastern States Agency in 1905. Spanning a vast mountainous region, the state was home to diverse ethnic groups like the Gond, Bhumij, Oraon, Panika, and several others. 
• Its territory, now part of Chhattisgarh, centered around the town of Ambikapur, presently the capital of Surguja district.

Udaipur State

• Udaipur State, another princely state during British rule, had Dharamjaigarhwas as its capital. 
• Post-Independence, Udaipur State merged with Raigarh, Sakti, Sarangarh, and Jashpur to establish the Raigarh district in Madhya Pradesh, which now lies within Chhattisgarh state.