Udaipur

Origin and Foundation of the Udaipur Province

The princely state of Udaipur (historically centered around Dharamjaigarh in modern Chhattisgarh, formerly part of Madhya Pradesh) was founded by the Raksel (or Raksela) dynasty of Rajputs. The Raksel Rajputs, who claim descent from the Suryavanshi lineage, established their dominion over the rugged and heavily forested regions of Surguja, Udaipur, and Jashpur. Originally, Udaipur functioned as a feudal dependency under the suzerainty of the larger Surguja State. The rulers of Udaipur paid tribute to the Maharaja of Surguja and governed the local tribal populations, primarily Gonds and Bhuiyas, with a high degree of autonomy.

The Maratha Period and British Protectorate

During the 18^th century, the Maratha Empire, under the Bhonsles of Nagpur, extended its influence over the Chhattisgarh region, forcing the Raksel rulers of Udaipur to pay tribute. This turbulent period ended in 1818, following the defeat of the Marathas in the Third Anglo-Maratha War. Control of the region passed to the British East India Company, and Udaipur was formally recognized as a British protectorate under the Chota Nagpur Tributary States.

The Doctrine of Lapse and the Rebellion of 1857

A critical turning point in Udaipur's history occurred in 1852. Following the death of the ruling chief, Raja Kalyan Singh, without a direct male heir, the British East India Company applied the controversial Doctrine of Lapse under Lord Dalhousie. The state was annexed and placed under direct British administration.

This annexation caused deep-seated resentment. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the dispossessed brothers of the late Raja, Dhiraj Singh and Sheoraj Singh, led a fierce uprising against British authority. They mobilized the local tribes and seized control of the capital. The rebellion was eventually suppressed by British forces with the assistance of loyal native allies, and the rebel leaders were captured and exiled.

Restoration and the Reign of Bindeshwari Prasad Singh Deo

In 1860, as a reward for outstanding services rendered during the 1857 uprising, the British government bestowed the ruling gaddi of Udaipur upon Lal Bindeshwari Prasad Singh Deo, a younger brother of the Maharaja of Surguja. This act effectively restored native Rajput rule and established a new branch of the Raksel dynasty in Udaipur.

Raja Bindeshwari Prasad Singh Deo proved to be an exceptionally capable and enlightened ruler. He shifted the administrative capital from Rabkob to a new site, which he named Dharamjaigarh in honor of his son and heir, Dharamjeet Singh Deo. He actively suppressed banditry, modernized the administrative machinery, and encouraged agricultural development in the wild, forested state.

Modernization and Progressive Reforms

Under the successors of Bindeshwari Prasad, Udaipur entered an era of structured modernization and social reform:

• Raja Dharamjeet Singh Deo (1876–1900): Under his leadership, the infrastructure of Dharamjaigarh was meticulously planned. He established modern primary schools, introduced public healthcare dispensaries, and constructed roads connecting the state's interior with neighboring regions.
• Raja Chandra Shekhar Prasad Singh Deo (1900–1912) & Raja Chandra Bhushan Prasad Singh Deo (1912–1927): These rulers prioritized forestry conservation and systematically mapped the state's vast timber resources. They also introduced progressive land revenue settlements that protected the traditional rights of the tribal peasantry.

Post-Independence and Modern Era

Following India's independence in 1947, the last ruling chief of Udaipur, Raja Chandra Chur Prasad Singh Deo, signed the Instrument of Accession on 1 January 1948, merging the state into the Dominion of India. The territory was initially integrated into the Central Provinces and Berar, which later became the state of Madhya Pradesh.

In November 2000, with the creation of the new state of Chhattisgarh, the lands of the erstwhile Udaipur State were incorporated into the Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh. Today, Dharamjaigarh remains a significant historical town. The royal lineage is still deeply respected by the local population, and the historic Dharamjaigarh Palace stands as a testament to the legacy of the Raksel Rajputs of Udaipur.