Changbhakar

Origin and Foundation of Changbhakar

The Princely State of Changbhakar, situated in the rugged and forested tract of the Baghelkhand region, was established around 1790. Originally, it was carved out as a Zamindari (estate) under the suzerainty of the neighboring Korea State. The ruling family belonged to the Chauhan dynasty of Rajputs, representing a cadet branch of the ruling family of Korea. The capital of this small state was located at Janakpur, surrounded by dense forests and hills.

British Period and Treaty Relations

Following the defeat of the Maratha Empire in the Third Anglo-Maratha War, the British East India Company extended its influence over the Chota Nagpur and Chhattisgarh feudatories. In 1818, Changbhakar came under British protection. Under the Kabuliat of 1819, the British separated the administration of Changbhakar from Korea State, though it was still declared a feudal dependency of Korea. The annual tribute (tribute or takat) was fixed at 376 Rupees, which the ruler of Changbhakar paid to the British treasury through the Raja of Korea.

This administrative arrangement was revised in 1848 when the British administration granted a new Sanad directly to the ruler of Changbhakar. Under this agreement, the tribute was paid directly to the British Government, formally severing its political subordination to Korea State. The title of "Bhaiya" was officially recognized for the rulers, which had originally been conferred upon the family by Maharaja Amar Singh of Korea.

Ruling Chiefs of Changbhakar

The state was ruled by a succession of Bhaiya Chiefs who maintained local autonomy under British supervision. Some of the notable rulers of the state include:

• Bhaiya Janjit Singh (or Jagajit Singh)
• Bhaiya Balbhadra Singh (reigned 1897–1932) - Under his rule, various land revenue reforms were initiated, and the administrative machinery was modernized despite the state's extreme geographical isolation.
• Bhaiya Krishna Pratap Singh Deo (reigned 1932–1947) - The final ruling chief of Changbhakar, who oversaw the transition of the state into independent India.

Post-Independence and Modern Era

Upon the British withdrawal from India in 1947, Bhaiya Krishna Pratap Singh Deo signed the Instrument of Accession to the Dominion of India. On January 1, 1948, Changbhakar Princely State was officially merged into the province of Central Provinces and Berar (later Madhya Pradesh). In the year 2000, when the state of Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh, the territories of the former Changbhakar state became part of the Koriya district, and are currently situated within the Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district of Chhattisgarh.

References and External Links

• Learn more about the state's geographical and historical details on the Wikipedia page for Changbhakar.
• For context on the parent state, visit the Wikipedia page for Korea State.