Chaugain [Panna - II]

Origin and Foundation of the Ujjainia Parmars

The history of the Chaugain Zamindari is intrinsically linked to the migration of the Parmar dynasty of Malwa (Ujjain) to Bihar. Following the downfall of the Parmar kingdom of Ujjain and Dhar due to the expansionist campaigns of Sultan Alauddin Khalji in the early 14^th century, a faction of the royal family, refusing to submit to the Delhi Sultanate, migrated eastward. Led by their chiefs, they settled in the rugged terrains of the Shahabad district (modern-day Bhojpur and Buxar region of Bihar).

Upon their arrival, these Parmar Rajputs clashed with the local Chero rulers who dominated the region. Under the leadership of legendary figures like Raja Bhojraj and his successors, the Parmars defeated the Cheros and established their hegemony. Due to their ancestral origin in Ujjain, these settlers came to be known locally as Ujjainia Rajputs. Because of their direct descent from legendary monarchs like Samrat Vikramaditya and Raja Bhoj, they came to hold an exceptionally high social and ritual status among the Rajput clans of Northern India.

Establishment of the Chaugain Zamindari (Panna - II)

Over the centuries, the Ujjainia territory in Shahabad was consolidated and divided into various principalities and estates, most notably Dumraon, Jagdishpur, Haldi, and Chaugain. The Chaugain Zamindari (historically referred to as Chaugain Panna - II) emerged as an important co-sharing branch (Panna or Patti) within the broader lineage of the Dumraon Raj family tree. Situated in the fertile plains of the Buxar district, the Chaugain estate wielded significant agrarian wealth and commanded a loyal militia of Rajput clansmen.

Mughal and British Periods

During the Mughal era, the Ujjainias of Shahabad maintained a complex relationship with the imperial court at Delhi. While they frequently rebelled against imperial subahdars to assert their independence, several Ujjainia chiefs were eventually integrated into the Mughal administrative framework, receiving mansabs (military ranks) and jagirs during the reigns of Akbar and Jahangir. The Chaugain branch managed to preserve its autonomy and local influence through strategic alliances and military prowess.

With the advent of the British East India Company and the introduction of the Permanent Settlement of 1793 by Lord Cornwallis, the traditional administrative setup of the Ujjainia estates was formalized into Zamindari estates. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, while the neighboring Jagdishpur estate under the legendary Babu Kunwar Singh rose in open rebellion against British rule, other branches of the Ujjainia clan faced immense political pressure. The Chaugain Zamindari navigated this turbulent era, preserving its territorial holdings and local dominance despite the heavy hand of British retaliatory measures in the Shahabad region.

Post-Independence and Modern Era

Following India's independence in 1947, the historic Zamindari system was abolished under the Bihar Land Reforms Act of 1950. Like other aristocratic houses of Bihar, the Chaugain Panna - II estate transitioned from a feudal landholding unit to a modern socio-political entity. The descendants of the Chaugain royal lineage adapted to the democratic framework, turning their attention to public service, agriculture, and educational philanthropy. Today, the legacy of the Chaugain Zamindari survives in the rich cultural heritage, ancestral forts, and the deep-seated historical pride of the Ujjainia Parmars in Bihar.

Origin and Foundation of the Ujjainia Parmars

The history of the Chaugain Zamindari is intrinsically linked to the migration of the Parmar dynasty of Malwa (Ujjain) to Bihar. Following the downfall of the Parmar kingdom of Ujjain and Dhar due to the expansionist campaigns of Sultan Alauddin Khalji in the early 14^th century, a faction of the royal family, refusing to submit to the Delhi Sultanate, migrated eastward. Led by their chiefs, they settled in the rugged terrains of the Shahabad district (modern-day Bhojpur and Buxar region of Bihar).

Upon their arrival, these Parmar Rajputs clashed with the local Chero rulers who dominated the region. Under the leadership of legendary figures like Raja Bhojraj and his successors, the Parmars defeated the Cheros and established their hegemony. Due to their ancestral origin in Ujjain, these settlers came to be known locally as Ujjainia Rajputs. Because of their direct descent from legendary monarchs like Samrat Vikramaditya and Raja Bhoj, they came to hold an exceptionally high social and ritual status among the Rajput clans of Northern India.

Establishment of the Chaugain Zamindari (Panna - II)

Over the centuries, the Ujjainia territory in Shahabad was consolidated and divided into various principalities and estates, most notably Dumraon, Jagdishpur, Haldi, and Chaugain. The Chaugain Zamindari (historically referred to as Chaugain Panna - II) emerged as an important co-sharing branch (Panna or Patti) within the broader lineage of the Dumraon Raj family tree. Situated in the fertile plains of the Buxar district, the Chaugain estate wielded significant agrarian wealth and commanded a loyal militia of Rajput clansmen.

Mughal and British Periods

During the Mughal era, the Ujjainias of Shahabad maintained a complex relationship with the imperial court at Delhi. While they frequently rebelled against imperial subahdars to assert their independence, several Ujjainia chiefs were eventually integrated into the Mughal administrative framework, receiving mansabs (military ranks) and jagirs during the reigns of Akbar and Jahangir. The Chaugain branch managed to preserve its autonomy and local influence through strategic alliances and military prowess.

With the advent of the British East India Company and the introduction of the Permanent Settlement of 1793 by Lord Cornwallis, the traditional administrative setup of the Ujjainia estates was formalized into Zamindari estates. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, while the neighboring Jagdishpur estate under the legendary Babu Kunwar Singh rose in open rebellion against British rule, other branches of the Ujjainia clan faced immense political pressure. The Chaugain Zamindari navigated this turbulent era, preserving its territorial holdings and local dominance despite the heavy hand of British retaliatory measures in the Shahabad region.

Post-Independence and Modern Era

Following India's independence in 1947, the historic Zamindari system was abolished under the Bihar Land Reforms Act of 1950. Like other aristocratic houses of Bihar, the Chaugain Panna - II estate transitioned from a feudal landholding unit to a modern socio-political entity. The descendants of the Chaugain royal lineage adapted to the democratic framework, turning their attention to public service, agriculture, and educational philanthropy. Today, the legacy of the Chaugain Zamindari survives in the rich cultural heritage, ancestral forts, and the deep-seated historical pride of the Ujjainia Parmars in Bihar.

• Raja BHOJRAJ, Raja of Shahbad 1320/1333, younger brother of Raja Mulkdev, last Parmar ruler of Dhar, migrated to Shahabad around 1320, married and had issue. He died 1333.
  • Raja Devraj [Santan Singh] (qv)
• Raja DEVRAJ [Santan Singh / Sanatana Shahi], Raja of Bhojpur 1324/1344, named the area Bhojpur after his father, married and had issue. He died 1343/1344.
  • Raja Somraj (qv)
• Raja SOMRAJ, Raja of Bhojpur 1344/1388, married and had issue. He died 1388/1389.
  • Raja Hariraj (qv)
  • Raja Gajraj (qv)
  • Raja Jagdev (qv)
• Raja HARIRAJ, Raja of Bhojpur 1389/1394, he died in a battle with the Nawab of Jaunpur.
• Raja GAJRAJ, Raja of Bhojpur 1394/1414, he continued the fight with the Nawab of Jaunpur.
• Raja JAGDEV, Raja of Bhojpur 1414 or 1417/1424, he also continued the fight with the Nawab of Jaunpur; married and had issue.
  • Raja Sangramdev (qv)
• Raja SANGRAMDEV, Raja of Bhojpur 1424/1453, married and had issue. He died 1453/1454.
  • Raja Ishwari Singh (qv)
• Raja ISHWARI SINGH, Raja of Bhojpur 1454/1456, he was captured and killed by Jaunpur forces; married and had issue. He died 1456.
  • Raja Omkar Dev (qv)
• Raja OMKAR DEV, Raja of Bhojpur 1456/1489, he effectively thwarted the onslaught of the Nawabs of Jaunpur; married and had issue.
  • Kanwar Dev Shahi, married and had issue.
  • Kanwar Dariyau Shahi, married and had issue.
  • Kanwar Padam Shahi, married and had issue.
  • Kanwar Gopal Shahi
• Raja Durlabh Dev
By the early 16^th century the Ujjainia rajputs had split into mutually hostile and warring groups. Out of this fratricidal struggle, Bhojpur was divided into three parts, namely, Jagdishpur, Dumraon and Chaugain, the latter falling to Kanwar Pratap Singh, who became the first independent Raja of Chaugain.
• Raja PRATAP SINGHJI, 1^st Raja of Chaugain -/1655, third son of Raja Omkar Dev, Raja of Bhojpur (see Jagdishpur), married and had issue. He died 1655.
  • Kanwarsa Shardi Singh (qv)
• Raja SHARDI SINGHJI, 2^nd Raja of Chaugain 1655/1702, married and had issue. He died 1702.
  • Kanwarsa Yadunath Singh (qv) (see below)
  • Kanwarsa Dilraj Singh (qv) (Panna-II)