Present Head
Maharaja Bahadur CHANDRA VIJAY SINGH, 16th Maharaja of Dumraon since 5th Jan 2020, born , married 1stly, 1972 (div.1983), Rajkumari Ahalya Devi of Champrajpur in Gujarat, married 2ndly, 11th March 1986, Maharajkumari Kanika Deb Burman [Yuvrani Kanika Devi], daughter of HH Bisam-Samar-Bijayi Mahamahodya Pancha-Srijukta Maharaja Kirit Bikram Kishore Dev Varman Manikya Bahadur of Tripura, and his first wife, HH Maharani Padma Devi, and has issue.
- Bhanwar Sumair Vijay Singh (by first marriage), born , educated at Rajkumar College, Rajkot; married 13th December 2001, Bhanwar Baisa Pritika Kumari, third daughter of Shrimant Raja Narendra Singhji of Jamnia, and his wife, Shreemati Rani Kanak Devi, and has issue.
- Kumari Siddhangana Kumari, born .
- Kumar Durv Vijay Singh, born .
- Bhanwar Shivang Vijay Singh (by second marriage), born , educated at Sela Qui School in Dehradun and presently (2010) studying Hotel Management at the Indian Institute of Hotel Management in Aurangabad.
- Bhanwar Samridh Vijay Singh (by second marriage), born , educated at Sela Qui School in Dehradun and is presently (2010) studying Animation from the Picasso Animation College in New Delhi.
History
Origin and Foundation of Dumraon Raj
The Dumraon Raj, historically known as the Bhojpur Raj, was one of the oldest and largest feudal estates (zamindari) in Bihar, India. The estate was ruled by the Ujjainiya clan of Parmar Rajputs, who traced their ancestry to the imperial Paramara dynasty of Dhar and Ujjain in Malwa (modern-day Madhya Pradesh). Following the decline of their power in Malwa, Raja Bhoj Singh migrated to Bihar in the early 14th century, establishing the Ujjainiya dynasty in the Bhojpur region. Over the centuries, this lineage branched into several prominent estates, with Dumraon emerging as the primary and senior branch, closely related to the rulers of Jagdishpur.
The Mughal Era and Consolidation
During the Mughal period, the Ujjainiya rulers played a strategic role in the geopolitics of eastern India. Raja Narayan Mal (who ruled from 1607 to 1621) consolidated the family's hold over the region and secured an imperial mansab and the title of Raja from the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. In the early 18th century, Raja Horil Singh shifted the capital of the estate to Dumraon, laying the foundation of the modern Dumraon Raj as a centralized and formidable seat of power in Bihar.
British Period and Expansion
Following the Battle of Buxar in 1764, which was fought in close proximity to the estate's territories, the British East India Company established its hegemony over Bihar. Under the Permanent Settlement of 1793, the Dumraon Raj was recognized as a premier Zamindari estate. At its peak, the estate encompassed over a thousand villages across the Shahabad district (now divided into Buxar, Bhojpur, and other districts) and parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, making it one of the wealthiest estates in eastern India. Detailed historical accounts of their administration can be found on the Wikipedia page on Dumraon Raj.
Key Reformers and Philanthropy
The rulers of Dumraon in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were notable for their progressive outlook, contributing significantly to social reform, healthcare, and education:
- Maharaja Sir Radha Prasad Singh Bahadur (r. 1881–1894): A visionary administrator, he was knighted by the British Crown for his public services. He established the Dumraon Raj High School in 1883, which provided modern education to the region's youth, and funded various medical dispensaries.
- Maharani Beni Prasad Kuari: The widow of Maharaja Radha Prasad Singh, she managed the estate with great capability. She was a major philanthropist who established the Radhamani Memorial Hospital and donated generous funds to help establish the Banaras Hindu University.
- Maharaja Bahadur Ram Ran Vijay Prasad Singh: He was instrumental in introducing agricultural reforms and animal husbandry advancements in the region. He also patronized local arts and music, fostering a rich cultural environment in Dumraon.
Post-Independence and Modern Era
With India's independence in 1947, the feudal era drew to a close. The Zamindari system was formally abolished under the Bihar Land Reforms Act of 1950. The last titular ruler, Maharaja Bahadur Kamal Singh (r. 1949–1952), successfully transitioned into the democratic era. He was highly respected by his former subjects and was elected as an independent Member of Parliament (MP) to the first and second Lok Sabhas (1952 and 1957) representing the Shahabad Northwest constituency. He dedicated his post-independence life to educational and social causes until his demise in 2020. Today, the legacy of the Dumraon Raj survives through various educational institutions, charitable trusts, and historical landmarks that continue to shape the cultural landscape of the Buxar district.
Genealogy
- Raja NARAYAN MAL, 1st Raja of Dumraon 1604/1622 and Raja of Bhojpur 1607/1622, through his friendship with Mughal Prince Khurram, he received the title of Raja and a mansab of one thousand horses; he put down a rebellion of Chero tribes, and in the Battle of Buxar 1607-1608, he routed the Chero and Munda forces; he chose Jagdishpur as his capital; married and had issue. He was assassinated in 1622 at Basudhar (near Ithari) in a family feud.
- Raja PRABHAL SINGH, 2nd Raja of Dumraon 1622/1672.
- Raja SUJAN SINGH, 3rd Raja of Dumraon 1672/1708,
- Raja HORIL SHAH [Haril Singh], 4th Raja of Dumraon 1708/1746, his capital was at Mathila, but later moved to Dumraon; his kinsmen from Jagdishpur and Buxar combined against him and drove him out of Mathila, but with Mughal help, he was restored to Dumraon; he constructed extensive buildings in Dumraon (or Horilnagar as it was then called); married and had issue.
- Raja Chhatardhari Singh (qv)
- Raja CHHATARDHARI SINGH, 5th Raja of Dumraon 1746/1770, he faced difficulty in clearing revenue dues and ultimately rebelled against the Mughal government, later he also resisted the Bengal government, took part in the Battle of Buxar in 1764 against the East India Company and came under the protection of the British authorities as a zamindar; married and had issue.
- Raja Vikramaditya Singh (qv)
- Rajkumar Dust Daman Singh, married and had issue.
- Maharaja Jai Prakash Singh (qv)
- Raja VIKRAMADITYA SINGH, 6th Raja of Dumraon 1770/1805
- Maharaja JAI PRAKASH SINGH, 7th Maharaja of Dumraon 1805/1838, Maharaja [cr.1816], a philanthropist and a great builder, he constructed the Biharriji temple at Raj Garh (Dumraon) in about 1824; married and had issue. He died .
- Yuvaraj (name unknown) Singh, married, and had issue. He died vp.
- Maharaja Janki Prasad Singh (qv)
- Maharaja Maheshwar Bakhsh Singh (qv)
- Yuvaraj (name unknown) Singh, married, and had issue. He died vp.
- Maharaja JANKI PRASAD SINGH, 8th Maharaja of Dumraon 1838/1844, born , died sp in 1844 after returning from Jagannath Puri where he had gone for pilgrimage.
- Maharaja MAHESHWAR BAKHSH SINGH, 9th Maharaja of Dumraon 1844/1881, born , an able administrator; married and had issue. He died .
- Maharaja Bahadur Sir Radha Prasad Singh (qv)
- Maharaja Bahadur Sir RADHA PRASAD SINGH, 10th Maharaja of Dumraon 1881/1894 , born , Maharaja Bahadur (personal) [cr.1882], K.C.I.E, an indolent ruler, he left the affairs of state to the Dewan, Jai Prakash Lal, who opened several public institutions in and around Dumraon e.g. Raj School, Model Agriculture and Cattle Farm, and made donations to public causes in Bihar and Calcutta, acquired the Burmah (Burma) Property for cane and later founded the Zirawadi Sugar Mill; married (amongst others), (a), Maharani Beni Prasad Kuari (see below), married (b), Maharani (name unknown) Kunwar, second daughter of Raja Raghunath Shah of Agori Barhar, and had issue. He died spm on 5th May 1894.
- Maharani Beni Prasad Kuari, 11th Maharani-Regent of Dumraon 1894/1907, she conducted the affairs of the Raj much more efficiently than her late husband; married Maharaja Sir Radha Prasad Singh Bahadur (see above), and had adoptive issue. She died sp on or about 13th December 1907.
- (A) Kunwar Jung Bahadur Singh, he succeeded as Maharaja Srinivas Prasad Singh (qv)
- Maharaja Bahadur SRINIVAS PRASAD SINGH, 12th Maharaja of Dumraon 1907/1911, born , he succeeded by adoption; the estate remained under the Court of Wards, due to litigation and his minority, which eventually went in favour of Kunwar Keshav Prasad Singh in 1911, he sought to re-open the compromise made after the title was decided in 1911, and the Leave petition went up to Privy Council, where leave to re-open was obtained by the claimant but lost both in the 1st and 2nd appeals (1947) whereupon the matter was finally decided by Privy Council in 1949 in favour of Maharaja Bahadur Ram Ranvijay Prashad Singh. He died after 1949.
- Hon. Maharaja Bahadur Sir KESHAV PRASAD SINGH C.B.E., 13th Maharaja of Dumraon 1911/1933, born , educated at Raj High School, Dumraon; on the death of the late Maharani in 1907, he became entitled to succeed to the Raj as the nearest male heir, but her alleged adoptive son succeeded, and litigation ensued, he was successful and came into possession of the estate on 18th September 1911 as a result of a compromise effected by the government and the Court of Wards in the High Court; C.B.E. (civil) [cr.1919], he was conferred the title of Maharaja Bahadur in 1914; Member of the Council of State, India 1921/1925; Member of the Executive Council of the Governor of Bihar and Orissa 1926/-, he also served as Finance Member till 1929; Vice President of the Executive Council and Leader of Legislative Council, Bihar and Orissa, 1927/1929; he was knighted in January 1930; he introduced mechanized farming, sunk tube wells, and encouraged sugarcane cultivation; married 1stly, a Princess of Jamrorh, she died sp, married 2ndly, Maharani Rashbansi Devi of Baraon, and had issue, two sons and five daughters. He died 23rd September 1933.
- Maharaja Bahadur Ram Ranvijay Prasad Singh (qv)
- Maharajkumari (name unknown), married Raja Udai Pratap Singhji of Katiyari, and had issue.
- HH Maharani Meghraj Kumari, married 1932, HH Maharawat Ram Singhji II of Pratapgarh.
- Rani Krishna Kumari, married Rawat Sangram Singh of Deogarh.
- Maharajkumar Vishwanath Prasad Singh, born , educated at Mayo College, Ajmer; the Benaras Hindu University, and the Allahabad University, married Rani Padmini Devi of Sajjanpur Darbar of Morvi state, born , and had issue, three children. He died .
- Rajkumar Divyadip Singh, born , educated at the Doon School, Dehra Dun; Allahabad University and the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta; this highly qualified gentleman has been instrumental in setting up various textile, ceramic and chemical industries all over India, married to Kumari Shri Nila Devi of Lathi in Gujarat, born , and has issue, three children.
- Rajkumar Mrinal Singh, born , studied at the Rajkumar College, Rajkot and did his masters from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies. Has a vast experience in the banking and financial domain. Having worked as Vice President with Citi Bank & Standard Chartered banks is now working as the Group Head & Vice president Collections with Au Financiers India Ltd., at Jaipur. Heading the country for all their business verticals. His vast experience in the industry has gained respectability and would urge fellow community members to work for some time to gain knowledge & experience. Married to Harshaeta Jamwal of Barnai (Jammu), born , and has issue.
- Kunwar Dhiraj Raj Singh Dumraon, born , passed out from Lawrence School Lovedale, Ooty. Pursuing further studies in Hotel Management.
- Kumari Tejasvi Kumari Singh Dumraon, born , studying at Mayo College Ajmer.
- Rajkumar Pushpraj Singh, born , married Rajkumar Rani Bharti Kumari, born , and has issue, one daughter.
- Kumari Riddhima Kumari, born , educated at Mayo College Girls School, currently pursuing Law at Gujarat Law Society College, Ahmedabad.
- Rajkumari Mandakini Singh, born , married Rajkumar Aditya Singh of Thikana Dabri in Kotah State, and has issue, one daughter.
- Rajkumar Mrinal Singh, born , studied at the Rajkumar College, Rajkot and did his masters from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies. Has a vast experience in the banking and financial domain. Having worked as Vice President with Citi Bank & Standard Chartered banks is now working as the Group Head & Vice president Collections with Au Financiers India Ltd., at Jaipur. Heading the country for all their business verticals. His vast experience in the industry has gained respectability and would urge fellow community members to work for some time to gain knowledge & experience. Married to Harshaeta Jamwal of Barnai (Jammu), born , and has issue.
- Wng-Cdr. (ret'd.) Rajkumar Kanak Singh, born , educated at the Doon School, Dehra Dun and the National Defence Academy, went on to join the Indian Air Force and retired as Wing Commander in 1991, he headed the 'Adventure Cell' of the Indian Air Force, has sailed around the world on a 20 foot sailboat, been a land survival trainer for army commandos and a poultry farmer, amongst other things, married Maharajkumari Shri Urvashi Devi, born in Devgadh-Baria, daughter of HH Maharawal Jaideepsinhji Sobhagsinhji of Baria, and his wife, HH Maharani Prem Kumari, and has issue.
- Rajkumar Tushar Singh (Baba) [Kumar Shri Tusharsinhji Kanaksinhji], born , educated at boarding schools in Shimla, a District Panchayat Member, Chairman of the Panchayat Construction Committee, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Gujarat from Devgadh Baria; married Maharajkumari Ambika Kumari, born , daughter of Raja Aniruddh Pal Singh of Awagadh, and his wife, Rani Anjali Devi, and has issue, two sons.
- Kunwar Arunoday Singh, born .
- Kunwar Nirbhay Singh, born .
- Rajkumar Tushar Singh (Baba) [Kumar Shri Tusharsinhji Kanaksinhji], born , educated at boarding schools in Shimla, a District Panchayat Member, Chairman of the Panchayat Construction Committee, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Gujarat from Devgadh Baria; married Maharajkumari Ambika Kumari, born , daughter of Raja Aniruddh Pal Singh of Awagadh, and his wife, Rani Anjali Devi, and has issue, two sons.
- Rajkumar Mayur Singh, born , educated at the Doon School, Dehra Dun and at St. Xavier's College, Calcutta; has worked with Dumraon Textiles Ltd and has been a full time farmer since 1980, now presently making forays into Real Estate development, married Kumari Nirmala Devi of Jabadee (Sitamarhi), born , and has issue, two sons.
- Kunwar Sidharth Singh, born , educated at Welham Boys' School, Dehra Dun and at Hindu College, Delhi University, an independent filmmaker, presently working with a television production house called Procam Mediatel in Mumbai.
- Kunwar Anshuman Singh, born , educated at Welham Boys' School, Dehra Dun and at Pune University, formerly with the human resources department of Ananda in the Himalayas- a luxury spa; presently studying Law at the Faculty of Law at Delhi University.
- Rajkumar Divyadip Singh, born , educated at the Doon School, Dehra Dun; Allahabad University and the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta; this highly qualified gentleman has been instrumental in setting up various textile, ceramic and chemical industries all over India, married to Kumari Shri Nila Devi of Lathi in Gujarat, born , and has issue, three children.
- Maharaja Bahadur RAM RANVIJAY PRASAD SINGH, 14th Maharaja of Dumraon 1933/1949, born in , he succeeded to the gaddi on death of his father in September 1933 and inherited a depleted treasury and a large debt owing to continuous litigation; educated at Raj High School, Dumraon and at Mayo College, Ajmer; Squad Commander of the college riding team 1924/1926, Captain of the Polo team in 1925 and 1926; Chairman, District Board, Shahbad 1930/1932; elected to the Central Legislative Assembly; Vice President of all Kshatriya Mahasabha 1938/1945; Member of Bihar Land Owners Association; patron and founder member of Bihar Veterinary College in Patna; he set up the Bihar lantern Factory in 1941; he donated 20 acres of land for the H. D. Jain College, Arrah; he enjoyed horse riding, pig sticking, polo, and hunting, accounting for nearly 40 tigers and other big game not only in the forest of Sasaram and Rohtas but all over India and Nepal; he augmented and increased the income of the Raj substantially by rehabilitating large uncultivated areas and attracting tenants thereon; he encouraged the government of Bihar with its project of Haryana Cattle breeding and he made available in 1947, over 500 acres of land at Dumraon at a nominal price; married 1925, Maharani Kanak Kumari, daughter of Maharaj Nahar Singhji of Devgarh Baria, and had issue, two sons and two daughters. He died in Shillong.
- Maharaja Bahadur Kamal Singh (qv)
- Maharajkumari Sangeeta Kumari, born .
- Group Captain (retd.) Maharajkumar Ranvijay Singh, born , served with the Indian Air Force, retiring as Group Captain, married 1956, Rajkumari Indumati Devi, born , daughter of Darbar Shri Ala Vajsur Khachar of Jasdan, and had issues. He died .
- Rajkumar Vir Vijay Singh, born , died in a motor cycle accident in 1979.
- Rajkumari Urvashi Kumari, born , married 1986, Mr. Bommie Cooper, a Parsi gentleman from Mumbai, and has issue, two sons.
- Kaizad Cooper
- Kamran Cooper
- Rajkumar Karan Vijay Singh, born .
- Maharajkumari Ujjalla Kumari [Rani Ujjalla Kumari of Tiloi], born , married 21st May 1952, Raja Bahadur Pasupati Nath Saran Singh of Tiloi, and has issue.
- Maharaja Bahadur KAMAL SINGH, 15th Maharaja of Dumraon [13th Nov 1949 - 5th Jan 2020]. Born , educated at the Colonel Brown School, Dehradun, at D.A.V. College, Dehradun, and at Patna Law College; Managing Director of Dumraon Industries (Pvt) Ltd. 1948/-; Elected to Parliament in 1952 and again in 1957; he formally handed over Dumraon Raj to D.M. (Shahbad) in June 1952; he established Maharaja Bahadur Ram Ran Vijay Prashad Singh College (now Maharaja College) at Arrah and donated land for educational institutions in Shahbad and Ballia in 1954; that same year the Maharani Usha Rani Girls School was founded at Raj Garh Dumraon by the Maharani Saheba, it was the first Girls School in the Area; he donated 15 acres of land to the Methodist Church for the T.B. Hospital, PratapSagar; Vice President, Bihar Chamber of Commerce, 1975/1976; President, Bihar Chamber of Commerce, 1977; married Maharani Usha Rani, died in Delhi, daughter of Raja Bahadur Bishwanath Saran Singh of Tiloi, and his second wife, Rani Phanindra Rajya Lakshmi Devi, and has issue, two sons and one daughter. He died on [Time of India].
- Yuvraj Chandra Vijay Singh (qv)
- Rani Mridula Kumari, married Maharaj Samar Singh of Dungarpur, and has issue, two sons.
- Maharajkumar Manvijay Singh, married 24th November 1986, Kumari Arunima Devi Jamwal, daughter of Col. D. S. Jamwal of Akhnoor in Jammu, and has issue, two daughters.
- Rajkumari Aakriti Kumari, born , educated at Mayo College Girl's School, Ajmer and at Marinda House, Delhi University.
- Rajkumari Rohini Kumari, born , educated at Mayo College Girl's School, Ajmer and is presently studying Advertisement Designing at the Perl Academy of Fashion Designing in New Delhi.
- Maharaja Bahadur CHANDRA VIJAY SINGH (see above)
- Rai Bahadur Harihar Prasad Singh, Honorary Magistrate, the title of Rai Bahadur was conferred upon him in June 1912, in recognition of his public sources.
- Babu Babu Chandrika Prasad Singh, fl.1918
