Rewa (princely state)

{{Short description|Princely state in India (1140–1947)}} {{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}} {{Infobox former country | conventional_long_name = Rewa State | common_name = Rewa | capital = {{ubl|Bandhavgarh|Rewa}} | era = | year_start = 1140 | date_start = | event_start = | year_end = 1947 | date_end = | event_end = Accession to India | event1 = | date_event1 = | p1 = | s1 = India | flag_p1 = | flag_s1 = Flag of India.svg | image_flag = Flag of the Rewa State.svg | image_coat = Rewa State CoA.png | stat_area1 = 33,670 | stat_year1 = 1901 | stat_pop1 = 1327385 | today = India | footnotes = ''Columbia-Lippincott Gazetteer''. (New York: Columbia University Press, 1952) p. 369 }}

thumb|The Maharaja of Rewa, Raghuraj Singh Ju Deo Bahadur in 1877 [[File:Maharaja rewapalace govindgarh1870.jpg|thumb|250px|The Govindgarh palace of the Maharaja of Rewa in 1882]]

thumb|left|Delhi Durbar of 1903, held to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra as Emperor and Empress of India: Elephant Carriage of the Maharaja of Rewa at the Retainers' Review, 7 January 1903

'''Rewa State''', formally the '''Kingdom of Baghelkhand''', and later princely state of India, surrounding its eponymous capital, the town of Rewa.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

Rewa was the largest princely states in the Baghelkhand Agency and Central India Agency, with an area of 33,670 km². Rewa was also the third-wealthiest principality in Central India, with an average revenue of 2.9 million rupees in 1901.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V09_384.gif|title = Imperial Gazeteer of India, Volume 9, page 378 — Imperial Gazetteer of India — Digital South Asia Library}}</ref> The Baghelkhand Agency was dissolved in 1933, following which Rewa was placed under the authority of the Indore Residency.

thumb|Central India Agency Map

== History == According to legend, the kingdom of Rewa was founded around 1140 CE. On 5 October 1812, it became a British protectorate. Between 1 April 1875 and 15 October 1895, Rewa remained under the direct colonial administration of British India.<ref>[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/India_princes_A-J.html Princely States of India]. ''worldstatesmen.org''.</ref>

The ruler of Rewa ruled from Bandhavgarh during the founding reign of Raja Vyaghra Dev, who was a direct descendant of Gujarati warrior king Vir Dhawal of Vaghela dynasty (as spelled Baghel). In 1617, Maharaja Vikramaditya Singh Baghel moved his capital to Rewa. Maharaja Martand Singh was the last ruler of Rewa who acceded to the Union of India after the independence of India.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}

Akbar was given refuge at Rewa at age 10, when his father Humayun fled India following a defeat in war. Prince Ramchandra Singh and Akbar grew up together as royal heirs. Maharaja Ramchandra Singh and Akbar remained friends. In the mid-1550s, Raja Ramachandra Singh Baghela maintained a musically talented court, including the legendary Tansen. Two of the Navratnas of Akbar, Tansen and Birbal (originally named Mahesh Das) were sent from Rewa by Maharaja Ramchandra Singh once Akbar became Emperor of India. In 1580, Akbar reorganized his empire into 12 ''Subahs'' and combined the provinces of Jaunpur Sultanate, Kara-Manikpur and territory of Bandhogarh into the ''Subah of Ilahabad''.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

Raja Vishwanath Singh abolished Sati in the state under British pressure in 1847. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Rewa State sided with the British East India Company.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Baker |first=David E.U. |title=Baghelkhand or the Tiger's Lair |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-19-568321-9 |pages=170–180}}</ref> Rewa State was important for the British Raj from perspective of logistics as roads and railway lines connecting Gangetic plains to Deccan passed through the state.<ref name=":0" />

Rewa was the first princely state in India to declare Hindi the national language, in the times of Maharaja Gulab Singh. He is also credited for declaring the first responsive government in modern India, providing citizens of Rewa state a right to question their monarch's decisions.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

The state came under British paramountcy in 1812 and remained a princely state within the British Raj until India's independence in 1947.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

During the long minority of Raja Venkat Raman Singh ({{abbr|b.|born}}1876, {{abbr|r.|ruled}}1880–1918), the administration of the state was reformed. In 1901, the town boasted a high school, a "model jail" and two hospitals: the Victoria hospital and the Zenana hospital. However, Lord Irwin criticized the lagging of state in terms of development and he spoke of Rewa's need to end its aloofness with the world and it was still adjudged among the most backward areas of the country by V.P. Menon, after he visited the state in 1947.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

During Gulab Singh's reign, the state turned more towards autocracy and regional autonomy with tahsildars needing His Highness' permission for petty decisions.

=== Post-independence period === Upon India's independence in 1947, the maharaja of Rewa acceded unto the Dominion of India. Rewa later merged with the Union of India and became part of Vindhya Pradesh, which was formed by the merger of the former princely states of the Baghelkhand and Bundelkhand agencies. Rewa served as the capital of the new state.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Namdeo |first=Shivam |date=2025-05-26 |title=Rewa, Madhya Pradesh: A Comprehensive Socio-Economic And Cultural Overview |url=https://timelybharat.com/rewa-madhya-pradesh/#Post-Independence_Integration_and_Evolution_1947_%E2%80%93_Present |access-date=2025-05-26 |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1956, Vindhya Pradesh was merged with other nearby political entities to form the Indian constitutive state of Madhya Pradesh. The Maharaja's palace was converted into a museum.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

In February 2007, an extensive book on the history of Rewa, ''Baghelkhand, or the Tigers' Lair'' by Dr D.E.U Baker, was published by Oxford University Press.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

== Revolt of 1857 == {{More citations needed section|date=May 2026}} Rewa played a controversial role in the Revolt of 1857. '''Thakur Ranmat Singh Baghel''', a Sardar (commander) in the Maharaja of Rewa's service, became increasingly discontented with British interference, particularly by the British Resident Political Agent, '''Willoughby Osborne'''. Veer Kunwar Singh of Bihar influenced Ranmat Singh so much that he organize the Anti-British elements and to adopt the course of Revolt.

Ranmat Singh led a group of 2,000 rebels, besieging Osborne's bungalow in fury, yelling: O Osborne, come out we shall kill you! nevertheless, but Osborne managed to escape. Near Baraundha, Ranmat Singh fought against the British army, badly defeated them and killed the two British officers, in a garden of village Padra. The rebels forces of Ranmat Singh continued their struggle, engaging in multiple battles across areas like Nagod, Bhilsain, Chitrakoot, Nowgong, Keoti, and defeated the British army.<ref>(https://testbook.com/mppsc-preparation/revolt-of-1857-in-madhya-pradesh)</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ensureias.com/blog/current-affairs/thakur-ranmat-singh |title=Thakur Ranmat Singh |website=ensureias.com}}</ref>

His letters and the secret messages sent to Tatya Tope and Veer Kunwar Singh through his associate Lal Punjab Singh reveal that he remained in contact with them and awaited their instructions.

In May 1858, Thakur Ranmat Singh Baghel joined forces with his 300 men along with Farzand Ali in the battle of Kalpi to assist Rani of Jhansi Laxmibai against the British army under the command of Major General Hugh Rose, 1st Baron Strathnairn. Following her defeat and retreat to Gwalior, Ranmat Singh and Farzand Ali returned to the forests of Baghelkhand and Bundelkhand, respectively to continue a localized campaign.

The British force, under the command of Brigadier general Carpenter, engaged the rebel forces of Ranmat Singh in a bloody battle at Chitrakoot in August 1858. Thakur Ranmat Singh gave a very tough fight during the battle but suffered severe injuries during the encounter with Carpenter's forces. He managed to evade capture by fleeing toward Kothi, where Raja Bahadur Avdhoot Singh Baghel of Kothi State provided him with secret shelter, medical assistance, food, and ammunition.

During the Revolt of 1857 in Baghelkhand, the Kothi State (Kothi princely state, Satna) is noted for helping Thakur Ranmat Singh Baghel. Historical accounts mention that Raja Bahadur Avdhoot Singh Baghel of Kothi State provided rebels with shelter, ammunition, food, money, and support for recruiting fighters.

The Maharaja of Rewa wanted Thakur Ranmat Singh Baghel to surrender to the British authorities with the assurance that he would not be killed. According to '''David E. U. Baker''' in his book '''Baghelkhand, or, the Tigers' Lair: Region and Nation in Indian History''', '''Diwan Dinbandhu Pandey of Rewa''' acted as an informant for the British, which led to the capture of Ranmat Singh by the British authorities, was arrested, charged with the murder of Europeans, and hanged in August 1860.<ref>(https://ensureias.com/blog/current-affairs/thakur-ranmat-singh (https://cmsadmin.amritmahotsav.nic.in/district-reopsitory-detail.htm?9137{{Cite(https://indianculture.gov.in/node/2816073)</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kushwaha |first=Sonelal |title=विंध्य के वीर सपूत...जिन्होंने 1957 की क्रांति में छुड़ाए थे अंगेे्रजों के छक्के |language=Hindi |trans-title=The brave sons of Vindhya... who freed the sixes of the British in the 1957 revolution |work=Patrika |publisher= |publication-date=17 July 2022 |url=https://www.patrika.com/satna-news/the-brave-son-of-vindhyas-thakur-ranmat-singh-7284408/}}</ref>

According to David E.U. Baker in his book "Baghelkhand, or the Tigers’ Lair: Region and Nation in Indian History", '''Thakur Shyam Shah Baghel''' led a 300-strong resistance force in the Rewa–Shahdol–Katni region, utilizing guerrilla tactics to disrupt British supply lines during the 1857 Revolt and defeated the British authorities.

According to A.U. Siddiqui in his book "Indian freedom movement in princely states of Vindhya Pradesh", following betrayal by Thakur of Burwa along with Randhir Singh of Bhamarha, Devi Singh & Gurupat Singh , Thakur Shyam Shah Baghel was killed by them from behind through deceit and betrayal, serving as a key example of the suppression of local independence movements by the regional loyalist of British authorities.

Thakur Ranmat Singh Baghel (from Mankhari village, Satna) and his uncle, Thakur Shyam Shah Baghel, were both Sardars (commanders) in the army of Maharaj of Rewa and later were both prominent leaders of the 1857 revolt in Baghelkhand, and they both were descendants of the Kothi royal family of Kothi State, Satna.

== Rulers== [[Image:Delhi Durbar 1903.jpg|250px|thumb|Elephant Carriage of the Maharaja of Rewa, Delhi Durbar of 1903.]] The predecessor state, Bandhogarh, was founded {{circa}} 1140. Vyaghra Deo, a brother of a ruler of Gujarat, is said to have made his way into northern India around the middle of the 13th century and gained the fort of Marpha, {{convert|18|mi|order=flip|abbr=on}} north-east of Kalinjar. His son Karan deo, married a Kalchuri (Haihaya) princess of Mandla, and received in dowry the fort of Bandhogarh which, until its destruction in 1597 by Akbar, was the Baghela capital. Until the 15th century, the Baghela's of Bandhogarh were engaged in extending their possessions and escaped the attention of the Delhi Sultans, in 1498–1499, Sikandar Lodi failed in his attempt to take the fort of Bandhogarh.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}

=== List of rulers === The following is a list of known rulers of Rewa (or its predecessor state, Bandhogarh), in chronological order by their reign. They took the title of Maharaja.  * Maharaja Vyaghra Deo * Maharaja Karan Deo * Maharaja Sohag Deo, established the town of Sohagpur * Maharaja Sarang Deo * Maharaja Vilas Deo, established the Bilaspur city. * Maharaja Bhimal Deo * Maharaja Anik Deo [Ranik Deo] * Maharaja Valan Deo * Maharaja Dalkeshwar Deo * Maharaja Malkeshwar Deo * Maharaja Variyar Deo * Maharaja Bullar Deo * Maharaja Singh Deo * Maharaja Bhairam Deo * Maharaja Narhari Deo * Maharaja Bheer Deo * Maharaja Shalivahan Deo, {{abbr|r.|ruled}}1495–1500, Raja of Bandhogarh * Maharaja Veer Singh Deo, r. 1500–1540, established the town of Birsinghpur. * Maharaja Virbhan Singh, r. 1540–1555; fought against Sher Shah with Chandela Rajputs during the siege of Kalinjar Fort * Maharaja Ramchandra Singh, r.1555–1592, Tansen and Birbal (Mahesh Das) were in court of Maharaja Ramchandra Singh * Maharaja Birbhadra Singh Deo, 1592-1602 * Maharaja Duryodhan Singh , 1602-1618,(deposed). His accession gave rise to disturbances. Akbar intervened, captured and dismantled the Bandhogarh fort in 1597, after a siege of eight months. * Maharaja Vikramaditya Deo, r.1618–1630. He founded the town of Rewa in 1618. * Maharaja Amar Singh II, r.1630–1643, established the town of Amarpatan. * Maharaja Anoop Singh Deo, r.1643–1660, established the town of Anuppur. * Maharaja Bhao Singh Deo, r.1660–1690. * Maharaja Anirudh Singh Deo, r.1690–1700, a grandson of Maharaja Anoop Singh, he was adopted by and succeeded his childless uncle, Maharaja Bhao Singh. * Maharaja Avadhut Singh Deo, r.1700–1755, become the Maharaja at the age of only 9 months The state was sacked by Harde Sah of Panna, {{circa}}1731, causing the Raja to flee to Pratapgarh in Oudh (Awadh). * Maharaja Ajit Singh Deo, r.1755–1809. * Maharaja Jai Singh Deo, b.1765, r.1809–1835. In 1812, a body of Pindaris raided Rewa from Mirzapur territory, for which Jai Singh was called upon to accede to a treaty acknowledging the protection of the British Government, and agreed to refer all disputes with neighbouring chiefs to their arbitration and to allow British troops in his territories. * Maharaja Vishwanath Singh Deo, b.1789, r.1835–1854. * Maharaja Raghuraj Singh Ju Deo Bahadur, b.1831, r.1854–1857 as Raja, then as Majaraja 1857–1880. He helped the British quell the uprisings in the neighbouring Mandla and Jabalpur districts in the mutiny of 1857. For this service, the Sohagpur (Shahdol) and Amarkantak parganas were restored to his rule (having been seized by the Marathas in the beginning of the century), and Raghuraj Singh of Rewa was made the first Maharaja of Rewa, ruling until his death on 5 February 1880. * Maharaja Venkatraman Ramanuj Prasad Singh Ju Deo Bahadur, b.1876, r.1880–1918. * Maharaja Gulab Singh Deo Bahadur, b.1903, r.1918–1946 (deposed) * Maharaja Martand Singh Deo Bahadur, b.1923, r.1946–1995. * Maharaja Pushpraj Singh Deo Bahadur, b. 1960, r. 1995–present.

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{commons category-inline|Rewa State}} * {{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Rewa |volume=23 |pages=224–225 |short=x}}

Category:Princely states of Madhya Pradesh Category:Rewa district Category:1790s establishments in India Category:1947 disestablishments in India Category:Vassal and tributary states of the Mughal Empire