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{{distinguish|Raigarh State}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox former country
|native_name = राजगढ़ रियासत
|conventional_long_name = Rajgarh State
|iso3166code = omit 
|year_start = Late 15th century
|event_end = [[Independence of India|Accession to the Union of India]]
|year_end = 1948
|event1 = Partition with [[Narsinghgarh State]]
|date_event1 = 1681
|s1 = India
|flag_s1 = Flag of India.svg
|image_flag = Rajgarhflag.png
|image_map = Tonk-map.jpg
|image_map_caption = Rajgarh State in the [[Imperial Gazetteer of India]]
|national_motto = ''Rao adwitīya Rājgarh Darbār'' ("the chief of Rajgarh has no equal")<ref name="Gazetteer"/>
|common_languages = [[Malvi language|Malvi]] ([[Rangri dialect (Malvi)|Rangri]] dialect), with a [[Hindi]]-speaking minority<ref name="Gazetteer"/>
|religion = 89% [[Hindu]], 6% [[Muslim]], 5% [[Animist]], >1% [[Jain]] and [[Sikh]]<ref name="Gazetteer"/>
}}
[[File:A Rajput of Rajgarh.jpg|thumb|A umat ruler of Rajgarh]]
'''Rajgarh State''' (Hindi Name: राजगढ़) was a [[princely state]] in [[India]], named after its capital [[Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh]]. It was part of the colonial [[Bhopal Agency]] of the [[Central India Agency]] during the [[British Raj]].<ref name="Gazetteer">{{cite book |last1=Luard |first1=C.E. |title=Western States (Malwa) Gazetteer, Volume V |date=1908 |publisher=British India Press |location=Bombay |pages=83–105 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.35238 |access-date=14 May 2021}}</ref> It lay in the region of [[Malwa]] known as '''Umatwara''' after the ruling [[Umat]] clan, a branch of the [[Parmar]] Rajputs.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> The neighbouring [[Narsinghgarh State]] was ruled by a cadet branch of this family, after being partitioned in 1681.<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

Rajgarh had an area of 2,492 Square Kilometers (940 sq. miles) and a population of 88,376 in 1901. Estimated revenue, 33,000 rupees (1911); tribute (to [[Sindhia]] of [[Gwalior]]) 3,640. The state revenue reached Rs.450,000 in 1901, the privy purse was Rs.140,000 rupees. Grain and [[opium]] were the principal articles of trade.<ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Rajgarh |volume=22 |page=865}} </ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V08_131.gif|title = Imperial Gazetteer2 of India, Volume 8, page 125 -- Imperial Gazetteer of India -- Digital South Asia Library}}</ref>

== History ==
The Umats of Rajgarh claim descent from the medieval [[Paramara dynasty]] that ruled over Malwa for some 600 years.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> Their ancestor, Umra Singh, supposedly gave his name to the city of [[Umarkot]] in [[Sindh]] after he took up residence there.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> The Umats were driven out of Sindh by the [[Samma dynasty]] during the 14th century; Samma sources assign this event to either 1334 or 1351 CE, while the Umats assign it to 1347.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> Upon being expelled from Sindh, the Umats migrated to Malwa under the leadership of one Sarangsen, who then acquired land in the area between the [[Sindh river|Sindh]] and [[Parbati River (Madhya Pradesh)|Parbati]] rivers.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> This area would come to be known as Umatwara after the Umats.<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

Sarangsen is said to have later received the title of [[Rawat (title)|Rawat]] by the Rana of [[Chittor]].<ref name="Gazetteer"/> His descendants were held in high regard by the [[Delhi Sultans]]; Rawat Karam Singh, 4th in descent from Sarangsen, is said to have been made governor of [[Ujjain]] under [[Sikandar Lodi]].<ref name="Gazetteer"/> Karam Singh received a [[Sanad (deed)|sanad]] for 22 districts in Umatwara, and he made his capital at [[Duparia]], near [[Shajapur]].<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

A later descendant, Rawat Krishnaji or Kishen Singh, was also governor of Ujjain, and the Kishenpura quarter of Ujjain was supposedly named after him.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> He died in 1583 and was succeeded by his son Dungar Singh, who founded the town of [[Dungarpur, Rajgarh|Dungarpur]] near Rajgarh and made it his capital.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> Dungar Singh had six sons, with the two oldest being Udaji and Dudaji.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> After Dungar Singh was killed at [[Talen, Rajgarh|Talen]] in 1603, Udaji inherited the estate and was recognised as the rightful heir in a sanad granted by [[Akbar]].<ref name="Gazetteer"/> He moved the capital to [[Ratanpur, Rajgarh|Ratanpur]] and ruled until 1621.<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

Udaji's successor, Chhatar Singh, died in battle in 1638 and was succeeded by his son Mohan Singh.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> As Mohan Singh was still a minor at the time, the [[Divan|diwan]] Ajab Singh, a descendant of Dudaji who had served as a minister of Chhatar Singh, was made regent of the Umatwara estate.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> The capital was moved back to Dungarpur for the duration of Ajab Singh's regency, and the town of Rajgarh was founded in 1640.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> After Ajab Singh died in battle at [[Nalkhera]] in 1668, his son Paras Ram succeeded as manager of the estate.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> At this point, Mohan Singh moved his capital to Rajgarh, while Paras Ram moved his capital to [[Patan, Rajgarh|Patan]], just south of Rajgarh, where he built a fort.<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

The division of Umatwara into Rajgarh and Narsinghgarh States took place in 1681.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> An initial division of villages had been made in 1675, leading to a sort of dual jurisdiction between Mohan Singh and Paras Ram that proved to be unmanageable.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> Thus, a formal division of the Umatwara territory into two states was made in 1681, with the ruler of Rajgarh (Mohan Singh) receiving five extra villages in recognition of his seniority.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> The daughter Mrinalini fled to the Himalayas and named her new seat (in present [[Himachal Pradesh]]) [[Rajgarh, Himachal Pradesh|Rajgarh]] as well.{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}}

In 1855, Rajgarh State contributed [[Rupee|Rs.]] 25,000 towards the construction of the parts of the [[Agra]]-[[Bombay]] road that were within its borders.<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

After India's independence in 1947, the last ruling Raja acceded to the Indian government on 15 June 1948.<ref>[http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/r/rajgarh.html Narsinghgarh Princely State (11 gun salute)]</ref> Rajgarh became part of [[Madhya Bharat]] state, which was formed out of the western half of the Raj's Central India Agency of princely states. In 1956 Madhya Bharat was merged into [[Madhya Pradesh]] state.{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}}

== Geography ==
The southern and eastern parts of Rajgarh State lay on the [[Malwa]] plateau, while the northern part was very hilly.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> The northern hills were Vindhyan sandstone, while the rest of the state was part of the [[Deccan Traps]].<ref name="Gazetteer"/> This area has a mostly temperate climate, with more variation in temperature in the hills.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> The main rivers traversing the former state's territory are the [[Parbati River (Madhya Pradesh)|Parbati]], on the eastern border, and its tributary the [[Newaj]].<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

Around the turn of the 20th century, 214,900 acres of Rajgarh State were covered by forests, about half of which were in the [[pargana]] of [[Biaora]].<ref name="Gazetteer"/> These forests consisted of decidious trees interspersed with patches of [[bamboo]].<ref name="Gazetteer"/> Common trees included the ''karrai'' (''[[Sterculia urens]]''), ''[[Bombax malabaricum]]'', ''[[Butea frondosa]]'', ''[[Buchanania latifolia]]'', ''dhaora'' (''[[Anogeissus latifolia]]''), and ''[[Diospyros tomentosa]]''.<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

Animal species native to the area of Rajgarh State include various types of [[deer]], [[leopard]], and [[wild boar]].<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

== Economy ==
The main exports of Rajgarh State around the turn of the 20th century were grain, crude [[opium]] (''chik''), [[ghee]], poppy seeds, and ''[[tilli]]'', while the major imports included [[piece goods]], [[silk]], [[salt]], [[sugar]], [[kerosene]] oil, [[rice]] and other grains, and hardware.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> No opium was produced in the state; all crude opium grown locally was collected by the state darbar and then exported.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> The main manufactured goods produced were [[khadi]] cloth, [[blanket]]s, and ghee; there was also a cotton mill at [[Biaora]] which employed 26 people and produced 5,000 [[maund]]s of cotton cloth annually.<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

Rajgarh State had no mines, although two sandstone quarries existed, one at [[Silapati]] and the other at [[Kotda, Rajgarh|Kotda]].<ref name="Gazetteer"/> A majority of the population was engaged in [[agriculture]], with the 1901 census recording 60% of the population engaged in agricultural work.<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

The main centres of trade were [[Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh|Rajgarh]] and Biaora, and to a lesser extent the other pargana headquarters.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> Rajgarh and Biaora also hosted large cattle fairs.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> The major merchant groups were the [[Bania (caste)|Bania]]s (Hindu and Jain), dealing in food, opium, and piece goods; and the [[Bohora]]s (Muslim), dealing mainly in hardware.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> The main trade routes were by road to [[Guna, India|Guna]], [[Sehore]], and [[Indore]], where goods were then transported by rail.<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

Rajgarh State never minted its own currency.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> Instead, coins produced by [[Bhopal State]] and other princely states were in use until 1897, when the [[British rupee]] was declared the sole legal tender.<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

== Administration ==
The monarch of Rajgarh State held absolute authority in matters of governance.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> He generally delegated executive authority to a [[Divan|diwan]], who was responsible for the day-to-day administration of the state's various departments (Darbar, Revenue, Judicial, Public Works, Police, Educational, and Medical).<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

Rajgarh State was divided into seven [[pargana]]s: [[Newalganj]], [[Biaora]], [[Kalipith]], [[Karanwas]], [[Kotra, Rajgarh|Kotra]], [[Sheogarh, Rajgarh|Sheogarh]], and [[Talen, Rajgarh|Talen]].<ref name="Gazetteer"/> Each pargana was overseen by a [[tahsildar]], who served as the chief revenue officer and also presided over the lowest level of criminal courts in the state.<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

At the turn of the 20th century, the state maintained a small army of 30 cavalry, 102 infantry, and 7 artillery with 4 guns.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> The annual military budget was Rs. 20,000.<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

A police force was established in 1902, consisting of 309 constables under the direction of a [[Muntazim]], who was in turn assisted by an Assistant Muntazim, 5 inspectors, and 13 sub-inspectors.<ref name="Gazetteer"/> The police force was distributed among 11 [[thana]]s.<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

== Rulers ==
Its heads of the state used the titles [[Rawat (title)]] (equivalent to Raja) until 1872 and after one [[Nawab]] (Raja Moti Singh converted to Islam) 1880 again; and from 1886 [[Raja]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}}

=== Umat ===
* 1638 – 14 April 1714 Mohan Singh (d. 1714)
* 1714? – 1740 Amar Singh
* 1740 – 1747 Narpat Singh
* 1747 – 1775 Jagat Singh
* 1775 – 1790 Hamir Singh
* 1790 – 1803 Pratap Singh
* 1803 – 1815 Prithvi Singh
* 1815 – 1831 Newal Singh (d. 1831)
* 1831 – 1872 Rawat Moti Singh (b. 1814 – ''d. 1880) see below ''
*'' 1846 – November 1847 Thakur Khok Singh – administrator''

=== Nawab ===
* 1872 – October 1880 Mohammad `Abd al-Wasih Khan (s.a.) ''(previously Rawat as Rawat Moti Singh)''

=== Rawats ===
* 1880 – 1882 Bakhtawar Singh (d. 1882)
* 6 July 1882 – 1 January 1886 Balbhadra Singh (b. 1857 – ''d. 1902) (see below)''

=== Rajas ===
* 1 January 1886 – January 1902 Balbhadra Singh (s.a.)
* 20 January 1902 – 9 January 1916 Bane Singh (b. 1857 – d. 1916) (from 1 January 1908, Sir Bane Singh)
*''20 August 1908 – 21 November 1940 Ram Singh (Section in Himachal Pradesh)''
* 17 January 1916 – 26 October 1936 Birendra Singh (b. 1878 – d. 1936) (from 1 January 1918, Sir Birendra Singh)
* 18 December 1936 – 15 August 1947 Bikramaditya Singh (b. 1936)
*''21 November 1940 – 15 August 1947 Ram Charan Singh (Section- Himachal)''{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}}

== See also ==
* [[Political integration of India]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Salute states}}
{{Princely States of Central India Agency}}

{{coord|24|02|N|76|53|E|region:IN_type:landmark_source:kolossus-svwiki|display=title}}

[[Category:Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Princely states of Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Rajput princely states]]
[[Category:Salute states]]
[[Category:15th-century establishments in India]]
[[Category:1948 disestablishments in India]]

Rajgarh State - Revision history

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