TEHRI GARHWAL HISTORY - 3

1815 - 1859 H.H. Swasti Shri 1008 Badrish Charya Prayana Garh-Rajya Mahi Mahendra Dharam, Vaibhav Dharam Rakshah Shiromani Shri 108 Maharaja Sudarshan [Sukhdarshan] Shah Sahib Bahadur, Raja of Tehri Garhwal. b. 1790, son of H.H. Swasti Shri 1008 Badrish Charya Prayana Garh-Rajya Mahi Mahendra Dharam, Vaibhav Dharam Rakshah Shiromani Shri 108 Maharaja Pradyuman Shah Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Garhwal, educ. privately. Succeeded on the death of his father as Head of the Royal House of Garhwal (in exile), 14^th May 1804. Entered into a treaty with the HEIC in which they recognised him as the legitimate ruler of Garhwal, 23^rd December 1812. Served with the British forces during the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814 at Dehra Dun, Nahan, Chamuagarh and Jauntgarh. Became Raja following the British defeat and expulsion of the Gurkhas from Garhwal, 21^st April 1815. He established a new capital at Tehri, from which the new state took its name of Tehri-Garhwal. Granted a sanad by the HEIC dated 4^th March 1820, which confirmed him in his possessions west of the Alaknanda River, and excluding Rawain and Dehra Dun. The rest of the former principality became the directly administered province of British Garhwal. Received a further sanad in which Rawain was ceded to him in exchange for Nagpur, 10^th December 1824. Assisted the British during the Indian Mutiny in 1857, providing state soldiers to guard the roads between Dehra Dun and Mussoorie, and affording protection to European families. A good administrator and Sanskrit scholar and pooet, author of "Sabhasar" in seven volumes. m. (first) before 1815, a Kshatriya girl, from a non-ruling family, who became a junior wife when he married royalty. m. (second) 1815, Maharani Khaneti Sahiba, a princess from Khanot. m. (third) Maharani Keonthaliji Sahiba, a princess from Keothal. m. (fourth) Hardwar, ca. 1828, Maharani Kangrajee Sahiba, daughter of Naresh Chhatrapati Maharaja Sri Sansar Chand II, Maharaja of Kangra, by his first wife, Suketi Maharani Pransani Devi Sahiba. m. (fifth) the elder daughter of Shri Raja Karan Prakash II Bahadur, Raja of Sirmur. He d. at the Purana Durbar Bhavan, Tehri, 7^thJune 1859 (when the state lapsed according to the terms of the sanad), having had issue, four sons, including:

• 1) Kunwar Bhawani Singh, who succeeded as H.H. Swasti Sri 1008 Badrish Charya Prayana Garh-Rajya Mahi Mahendra Dharam, Vaibhav Dharam Rakshah Shiromani Shri 108 Maharaja Bhawani Shah Sahib Bahadur, Raja of Tehri Garhwal (s/o the first wife) - see below.
• 2) Shri Shri Shri Shri Shri Tikka Surjan Shah Sahib. b. at Tehri, ca. 1818 (s/o Maharani Khanoti), educ. privately. Appointed as Heir Apprent at birth, in preference to his elder brother. He d.v.p. young.
• 3) Kunwar Sher Singh (s/o a junior wife). Contested the succession with the support of Maharani Khaneti in 1859. A revolt in his favour was put down at Jaunpur in January 1860, and he was removed permanently to Dehra Dun.

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1859 - 1871 H.H. Swasti Sri 1008 Badrish Charya Prayana Garh-Rajya Mahi Mahendra Dharam, Vaibhav Dharam Rakshah Shiromani Shri 108 Maharaja Bhawani Shah Sahib Bahadur, Raja of Tehri Garhwal, son of H.H. Swasti Shri 1008 Badrish Charya Prayana Garh-Rajya Mahi Mahendra Dharam, Vaibhav Dharam Rakshah Shiromani Shri 108 Maharaja Sukhdarshan Shah Sahib Bahadur, Raja of Tehri Garhwal, by a junior wife, educ. privately. Since his mother was not of Royal birth, he was superseded as Heir Apparent by his younger half-brother. Received a fresh sanad recognising his succession dated 6^th September 1859, in consideration of his father's services during the late mutiny. Granted a further sanad allowing for adoption in case of failure of natural heirs, in accordance with Hindu laws and the customs of his house, 11^th March 1862. He reformed the legal administration, instituting written records and judgements for the first time and setting up a system of three courts to deal with criminal, civil and revenue matters. A religious and philosophical man, he spent much of his time on meditation and visiting holy places. m. a daughter of Mian Udai Singh of Mandi. He d. at the Purana Durbar Bhavan, Tehri, December 1871, having had issue:

• 1) Shri Shri Shri Shri Shri Tikka Pratap Shah Sahib, who succeeded as H.H. Swasti Sri 1008 Badrish Charya Prayana Garh-Rajya Mahi Mahendra Dharam, Vaibhav Dharam Rakshah Shiromani Shri 108 Maharaja Pratap Shah Sahib Bahadur, Raja of Tehri Garhwal - see below.
• 2) Rajkumar Shri Vikram Shah Sahib, educ. privately. Wazir and Principal Mbr Regency Council 1887-1888. He had issue, a son by an inferior marriage or by a concubine:
  • a) Thakur Devi Singh Panwar.

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1871 - 1887 H.H. Swasti Sri 1008 Badrish Charya Prayana Garh-Rajya Mahi Mahendra Dharam, Vaibhav Dharam Rakshah Shiromani Shri 108 Maharaja Pratap Shah Sahib Bahadur, Raja of Tehri Garhwal. b. at the Purana Darbar Bhavan, Tehri, 1850, eldest son of H.H. Swasti Sri 1008 Badrish Charya Prayana Garh-Rajya Mahi Mahendra Dharam, Vaibhav Dharam Rakshah Shiromani Shri 108 Maharaja Bhawani Shah Sahib Bahadur, Raja of Tehri Garhwal, educ. privately. Succeeded on the death of his father, December 1871. Founded a new capital at Pratap Nagar. He patronised music and enjoyed hunting, and took a great interest administration, reforming and modernising the forest, judicial and police departments. He also built several schools, including the first English language school in the state. Attended the Imperial Durbar at Delhi, where he received a personal salute of 11-guns 1^st January 1877 (made permanent 1878). Founded the town of Pratap Nagar in 1877. Rcvd: Prince of Wales (1876) and KIH (1877) gold medals. m. H.H. Maharani Gulariyaji Sahiba (d. at Tehri, 23^rd August 1926), Presdt Tehri-Garhwal Regency Council 1888-1892, daughter of Raja Jai Singh, Raja of Guler, in the Kangra district of the Punjab. He d. at the Purana Durbar Bhavan, Tehri, 6^th February 1887, having had issue, three sons and a daughter:

• 1) Shri Shri Shri Shri Shri Tikka Kirti Shah, who succeeded as H.H. Swasti Sri 1008 Badrish Charya Prayana Garh-Rajya Mahi Mahendra Dharam, Vaibhav Dharam Rakshah Shiromani Shri 108 Raja Sir Kirti Shah Sahib Bahadur, Raja of Tehri Garhwal - see below.
• 2) Rajkumar Shri Surendra Shah. Adopted by Raja Shamsher Singh of Bashahr as his son and heir, 1907. Expelled from that state for his complicity in the murder of a Forest Service Officer and declared incapable of succeeding to that throne. He had issue, a son:
  • a) Kunwar Dev Indra Shah. He d. in a hunting accident, 1908.
• 3) Kunwar Vichitra Shah. Granted Uttarkash, Dhanolti, Chamba and Gansali in jagir 1893. Vice-Presdt Tehri State Council 1930-1931.Rcvd: Delhi Durbar silver medal (1911). He had issue, five sons (and one daughter) by an inferior marriage or by a concubine:
  • a) Rao Sahib Virendra Singh. He d.s.p.
  • b) Captain Rao Sahib Shoorbeer Singh, of Purana Durbar, Tehri, educ. (BA, LLB). Home Sec 1946, Private Sec to the Maharaja 1947, joined IAS after Independence. He had issue,
  • i) Captain Rao Sahib Samar Beer Singh. Joined IA and served with Royal Garhwal Rifles, retd as Capt, joined Indian Police Service, retd as DIG Rajasthan. m. Rani Preeti Kumari. He d. 1999, having had issue, two sons:
  • (1) Rao Sahib Kirti Pratap Singh.
  • (2) Thakur Bhawani Pratap Singh. b. 13^th June 1977, educ. Rajasthan Univ (BA). Hotelier in Uttarakhand and co-owner of the Purana Durbar Bhavan. m. at Udaipur, 6^th February 2006, Thakurani Neha Kanwar, from the thikana of Thana, in Udaipur-Mewar. He has issue, one son:
  • (a) Kunwar Nilay Pratap Singh Panwar.
  • c) Thakur Baldav Singh Panwar. He d.s.p.
  • d) Thakur Youdh Beer Singh Panwar. He d.s.p.
  • e) Thakur Shiv Singh Panwar. He d.s.p.
• 1) A daughter. m. Raja Baldev Singh, of Guler (b. 1883; d. 1959), son of Raja Raghunath Singh, of Guler, in the Kangra district of the Punjab. She had issue - see India Talukdars (Guler).

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1887 - 1913 H.H. Swasti Sri 1008 Badrish Charya Prayana Garh-Rajya Mahi Mahendra Dharam, Vaibhav Dharam Rakshah Shiromani Shri 108 Raja Sir Kirti Shah Sahib Bahadur, Raja of Tehri Garhwal, KCSI (1.1.1903, CSI 31.12.1898). b. at the Darbar Bhavan, Tehri, 14^th January 1874, eldest son of H.H. Swasti Sri 1008 Badrish Charya Prayana Garh-Rajya Mahi Mahendra Dharam, Vaibhav Dharam Rakshah Shiromani Shri 108 Maharaja Pratap Shah Sahib Bahadur, Raja of Tehri Garhwal, by his wife, H.H. Maharani Guleriyaji Sahiba, educ. at Bareilly and Mayo Coll., Ajmer. Became Heir Apparent with the title of Shri Shri Shri Shri Shri Tikka Sahib at birth. Succeeded on the death of his father, 6^th February 1887. Reigned under a Council of Regency, headed first by his uncle Vikram Shah 1887-1888, then by his mother the Guleri Rani 1888-1892. Came of age and invested with partial ruling powers, at the Naya Darbar Palace, Tehri, 16^th March 1892. Presdt. Tehri Garhwal State Cncl. 1892-1898. Invested with full ruling powers, 27^thMay 1898. MLC United Provinces 1909-1913. He took a very great interest in the administration and improved the welfare of his subjects, extending schools to the villages, opening a state high school, a madrassa for Muslims, and funding further education outside the state. He constructed water works and introduced electricity, improved the courts, forest and other state departments, began forest conservation and fire protection, founded a state agriculture bank to assist farmers, a leprosy asylum and several health centres. The state forces were converted to Sappers & Miners, providing road and other construction services to the state when not engaged in military duty. At a personal level, he interested himself in languages, becoming a scholar in Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, English, French and scripture. He also established a printing press and invented the first Hindi typewriter, but sold the copyright to a commercial firm. A keen amateur astrologer and astronomer, who founded his own observatory. Rcvd: Delhi Durbar gold medals (1903 & 1911). m. 1892, H.H. Maharani Shri Nepalia Rajya Lakshmi Devi Sahiba, KIH Gold Medal (1.1.1918) (d. at Tehri, 19^th October 1923), Regent for her husband 6^th February 1887 to 16^th March 1892, and for her grandson 16^th May 1913 to 4^th October 1919, eldest daughter of Commanding-General Sri Sri Sri Maharajkumar Padma Jung Rana Bahadur, of Nepal, by his first wife, a Kshatriya lady from Gorakpur. He d. at the Naya Durbar Palace, Tehri, 25^th April 1913, having had issue, one son and four daughters:

• 1) Shri Shri Shri Shri Shri Tikka Narendra Shah, who succeeded as H.H. Swasti Shri 1008 Badrish Charya Prayana Garh-Rajya Mahi Mahendra Dharam, Vaibhav Dharam Rakshah Shiromani Shri 108 Maharaja Sir Narendra Shah Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal - see below.
• 1) Rajkumari Shri Rukmini Deviji Sahiba [H.H. Maharani Shri Rukmini Devi Sahiba, Maharani of Ajaigarh]. m. 1907, H.H. Maharaja Sawai Shri Punya Pratap Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Ajaigarh (b. August 1884; d. 21^st June 1958), son of H.H. Maharaja Sawai Shri Punya Bhopal Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Ajaigarh, by his first wife, Sawai Maharajkumari Shri Beni Kunwarba Sahiba, daughter of Musahib Thakore Shri Ranjore Singh, of Chauka, in Chhakhari State. She had issue, two sons and three daughters - see India(Ajaigarh). Copyright©Christopher Buyers
• 2) Rajkumari Shri Bhuvaneshwari Deviji Sahiba [Yuvrani Bhuvaneshwari Deviji Sahiba, of Partabgarh]. m. 13^th October 1910, as his second wife, Maharajkumar Shri Man Singhji Sahib Bahadur, Yuvraj of Partabgarh (b. 13^th April 1886; d.v.p. 29^th October 1918), eldest son of H.H. Maharajadhiraj Maharawat Shri Sir Raghunath Singhji Bahadur, Maharawat of Partabgarh, KCIE, by his first, wife H.H. Pisangan Maharani Bapu Sahiba Ugam Kunwarji Sahiba, elder daughter of Raja Shri Pratap Singh, Thakur of Pisangan, in Ajmer. She d. at Partabgarh, 9^th August 1913, having had issue, one daughter - see India (Partabgarh).
• 3) Rajkumari Shri Tej Kunwar Deviji Sahiba [H.H. Maharani Shri Tej Kunwar Deviji Sahiba, Maharani of Idar]. m. at Fir Clump, Mussoorie, 11^th June 1913, as his second wife, Colonel H.H. Maharajadhiraja Maharaja Shri Himmatsinhji Daulatsinhji Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Idar (b. at Jodhpur, 2^nd September 1899; d. 24^th November 1960), eldest son of Colonel H.H. Maharajadhiraja Maharaja Shri Sir Daulatsinhji Partabsinghji Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Idar, KCSI, by his second wife, H.H. Shri Poongliawala Maharani Maji Bhatianji Sahiba, daughter of Rao Shri Guman Singh, of Sattasar, in Bikaner. She d. 1931/1932 - see India (Idar).
• 4) Rajkumari Shri Sashi Prabha Kumari Deviji Sahiba [Sri Rani Sashi Prabha Kumari Sahiba, Rani of Baghat]. b. 1905. m. 28^thNovember 1917, Sri Raja Durga Singh, Raja of Baghat, CIE (b. 15^th September 1901; d. 30^th January 1977), elder son of Sri Rana Dalip Singh, Rana of Baghat, CIE, by his wife, a daughter of Kanwar Kadar Singh, of Sirmur. She d.s.p.m. April 1947, having had issue, an only daughter who died in infancy - see India Non-Salute (Baghat).

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