Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/133

 Datia.

THE rulers of Dat.a, like those of many other Bundelkhand states, are Bundela Rajputs, and trace their descent from Maharaja Hem Karan alias Bindraj or Bir Pancham, a Gaharwar ruler of Benares, who, when deprived of his kingdom, is said to have propitiated the Goddess Bind-vasini near Bindhyachal in Mirzapur. The tradition is that when he was about to offer his head at the altar, the Goddess appeared in Samvat 1228, and stopped him, conferring the boon that his descendants would rule for 1,000 years. On account of the drops of blood that fell in the attempt to sacrifice. those descendants came to be known, as "Bundelas" from "Bund" a drop of blood, and have given their name "Bundelkhand" to the tract under their control.

Datia State was founded by Bhagwan Rao a member of the Orchha family in 1626 A.D. The pedigree table of the rulers in succession is given below:

1 Bhagwan Rao, 1626-1656 A.D. 6. Shatrujit 1762-1801 A.D.

2. Shubh Karan 16564683 A.D. 7. Parichhat 1801-1839 A.D.

3. Dalpat Rao 1683- J 707 A.D. 8. Bijai Bahadur 1839-1857 A.D.

4. Ramchandra 1707-1736 A.D. 9. Bhawani Singh 1857-1907 A.D.

5. Indrajit 1736-1762 A.D. 10. Govind Singh 1907 A.D. (present ruler).

The Chiefs of Datia have been distinguished for their military valour, and devotion and loyalty to their sovereign. They honourably served the Mogul Emperors in several campaigns and won their favours.

Bhagwan Rao fought many battles, and received three swords from the Emperor Jahangir, besides the grant of the pargana of Bhander, and the mansab of Panch Hazari.

Shubh Karan maintained the military genius of his family by taking part in twenty-two campaigns including the wars in Balakh, Badakhshan, Deccan, and Arakan, and the battles against the Emperor's brothers Dara and Shuja.

Like his forefathers Dalpat Rao, was a great soldier, who took a leading part in all the actions of his time on the side of the Emperor, being present at Bijapur and Golconda. He received a royal firman on his appointment, and afterwards high posts with the title of Rao, and with permission to have an "Alum" (Royal Standard). Amongst the valuable gifts may be mentioned the "Chondel" (closed palki) used by the Empress herself, which is a kind of litter in which the Ranis of Datia still travel, — an unique honour not enjoyed by any other state in Bundelkhand, and a pair of massive gates which are still preserved in the State on the gate of Phul Bagh.

Ramchandra, a born soldier, who received an Imperial firman, a khilat, sword of honour, and many presents from the Emperor Farukhsiyar, is said to have pleased the Emperor by his courage in attending the Durbar fully armed against orders. Like his predecessors he took part in many of the campaigns of those. days.

Indrajit, on the Emperor Shah Alam's visit to Bundelkhand in 1 760 A.D., was granted the title of 'Raja' with a Takhatraw or portable throne, two Royal Standards, and Arabi Bajas or musical band instruments.