Maheshpur Raj

Today, Maheshpur Raj (Maheshpur), is a sub-division of Pakur district in the state of Jharkhand JH) in India. It was once the capital of a 700 year old royalty and the feudal kingdom of Sultanabad, which later came to be known as Maheshpur Raj. Now Maheshpur consisting of 33 panchayats is situated 28.6 km from Pakur and 279 km from State capital city, Ranchi.

The feudal kingdom of Sultanabad was founded in the year 1315 A.D. (Bengali: 722) by a royal Kshatriya Rajput warrior, H.H. Raja Banku Singhji - the founder of Sultanabad kingdom and the progenitor of the Maheshpur Royalty and the capital of the kingdom was supposedly at Sinthbak village. It was also at Sinthbak, the shrine and temple was erected to the Presiding Deity of Maheshpur Royalty and Protector of Sultanabad and the Realm - Om Sri Sri Maa Singhabahini Devi. Later the capital was shifted to Debinagar by H.H. Raja Hansraj Singhji and in 1753 A.D. (Bengali: 1160), H.H. Raja Gurjan Singhji shifted and transferred the capital to Maheshpur. Also the shrine of the Presiding Deity was re-established at Maheshpur.

At the time of founding, the feudal kingdom of Sultanabad was spread across a vast terrain of about 3,000 sq-miles extending from the foot of Rajmahal hills (now in JH) to Damin-i-koh and vast regions of Godda (all now in JH) and comprised of jungles and 52 hills. Situated at the foothills of Rajmahal, the kingdom was watered by the three tributaries of the Ganges, viz Bansloi, Pagla, Brahmmani and small streams, which primarily being seasonal and hill streams dry up in summers.

During that time, the region was mainly inhabited by several upper caste Hindus: Brahmins and Kshatriyas along with various tribals: Ghatowals, Paharis, Bhumihars, Kurmis, Kheturis, etc. These tribes are the original inhabitants of the region and not the Santhanls (as popularly believed) and migrated here only during the end of 18^th century/beginning of 19^th century. However the Santhals are now the largest inhabitants of Maheshpur Raj.

Eminent Rulers: Raja Banku Singhji, Raja Hansraj Singh, Raja Garjan Singh, Rani Sarbeshwari Devi, Raja Mahakum Singh, Maharaja Gopal Chandra Singh Bahadur, Raja Indra Narayan Singh, Rani Radhapeyari Devi.

Titles/Honours: Raja Bahadur, Maharaja, Silver Imperial Assemblage Medal.

State Relations: Seraikella, Hindol, Panchkot, Khairagarh, Bishnupur, Nagod, Kota, etc.

Last Ruler:

H.H. Raja Indra Narayan Singh ji (Reign: 1892-1895 A.D. / Bengali year: 1299-1302) was the last Raja of Maheshpur Raj (earlier Sultanabad). There after his wife/widow, H.H. Rani Radha Peyari Devi ji succeeded to the title/dignity (Reign: 1895-22 June 1920 / Bengali year: 1302-1327).

Both their Highness's, the Raja and the Rani were highly spiritual persons, able rulers, and dedicated to the well-being of their subjects. They significantly contributed to social development initiatives/causes: Charitable Dispensaries, Road constructions, Public Water supplies, Education etc. To promote education for both genders alike in these regions, two education institutions were established: Indra Narayan Memorial Institution and Rani Radha Peyari Girls High School (for education for girl child) along with student hostels for out-station candidates and scholars.

After the Rani's demise, several heirs/scions from the Maheshpur Raj Royalty along with the Estate Receivers appointed from time-to-time, by British India Govt. had administered Maheshpur Raj and managed the Estate affairs until its accession to India on 12 July, 1952.

Acknowledgement: The content on the Webpage has been obtained from several documents, notable from which are: (1) British India Govt. gazettes and documents on Princely States of India in custody at Bengal Secretariat Record Room, Writers Building, Jharkhand and Bihar Secretariat, and (2) History of Maheshpur Royalty by Kumar Shri. Anilendra Narayan Singh

Acknowledgement: The entire content on the Web page has been provided by Shri Abhijit (Singh) Sinha based on his research on the previously mentioned documents. Please feel free to contact him at his email address (see below) for any clarifications.